What does priming help a child prepare for in a learning environment?

Priming is an essential technique used in applied behavior analysis to prepare children for upcoming changes in their environment or activities. By giving children a preview of what is going to happen next, they can adjust their expectations and responses accordingly. This can reduce anxiety and increase cooperation during transitions, as children have a clearer understanding of what to anticipate.

When children are primed, they are informed in advance about the upcoming changes, which helps them to mentally and emotionally prepare for a shift in routine or activity. This may include transitioning from one classroom activity to another, moving from playtime to lunch, or preparing to leave for a field trip. Such preparation is particularly important in special education settings, where unexpected changes can be challenging for some students, leading to difficulty in self-regulation and increased anxiety.

While priming can also support memory recall, behavior engagement, and facilitate smoother transitions, its primary purpose is to help children be ready for changes in their activities, making option D the most appropriate answer in this context.