Gross-motor skill acquisition by preschool dance students under self-instruction procedures

J Appl Behav Anal. 2004 Fall;37(3):305-22. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2004.37-305.

Abstract

The effects of two training procedures--(a) modeling and praise and (b) self-instruction, modeling, and praise--on complex gross-motor chain acquisition for preschool dance class students were evaluated. Six girls participated in the study. A multiple baseline design across six gross-motor chains with a secondary group comparison for treatment order effects was used. Both procedures were effective in teaching the gross-motor chains. Nevertheless, for 4 of the 6 participants, the self-instruction procedure produced a faster acquisition rate in at least two of the three comparable pairs of gross-motor chains. Furthermore, very early in gross-motor chain acquisition, for five of the six gross-motor chains, the self-instruction condition was associated with faster response acquisition.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Dancing*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Male
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Students / psychology*