What does 'modeling' refer to in relation to prompting?

Modeling refers to demonstrating a specific behavior for a child to observe and imitate. This technique capitalizes on the natural learning process where individuals, particularly children, learn effectively through observation of others. In the context of prompting, modeling serves as a practical and engaging way to help a child understand not just what is expected of them, but also how to perform the desired behavior themselves. By seeing a model exhibit a behavior, the learner can replicate that behavior, making it a powerful teaching tool within applied behavior analysis.

The other options involve different techniques: verbal instructions provide information through speech; positional guidance assists learners physically in performing a task; and rewarding behaviors focuses on reinforcing actions after they have occurred. Each of these approaches is valuable in behavior training, but modeling specifically highlights the importance of observational learning as a means to prompt new skills.