Effects of a Preferred Stimulus and Mother’s Attention on Infant Behavior During Tummy Time

Abstract

"Tummy time" is an activity for infants to develop muscle tone; however, it often evokes crying and non-compliance. The current study investigated two interventions for an infant to a) increase elevated head behavior, and b) decrease negative vocalizations. The study compared the effects of a preferred stimulus with or without maternal attention on infant behaviors during tummy time. The addition of maternal attention produced more positive outcomes:The science of behavior analysis can be used to treat a broad range of socially significant behaviors like infant behavior during tummy time.Preference assessments can be used with infants to identify potentially reinforcing stimuli.The continuous provision of a preferred stimulus during tummy time may help infants to increase positive behaviors and decrease problem behaviors.Parent attention may have an added benefit to a treatment package for typically developing infants.