We all know that children learn from the things they see, both in real life and on television, and though the influence of TV is often thought of as negative, it doesn’t have to be.
At Achievement Balance, finding strengths and positives in everyday situations is exactly what we strive to do, and video modeling is no different.
If children are learning from the things they watch on TV, then we will use that to create healthier, desired behaviors in social and academic scenarios in a more comfortable atmosphere that makes learning fun.
This is why we use play therapy, discrete trial training, and natural environment training too. Everyday situations can do great things when used in a consistent manner to help teach your child to better interact with their world.
But what exactly is video modeling? Is it just watching TV? Are they instructional videos?
Read on to understand what exactly video modeling is and how it can benefit your home and help your child to learn, play and socialize better every day.
What is Video Modeling?
Video modeling really is the sum of its parts.
Your child will be shown videos of simple behaviors such as playing, socializing or having friendly personal interactions with others. These behaviors are being modeled to help your child learn and understand the different scenarios and reactions from a safe and calm place.
The un-hurried, un-stressful environment of watching videos allows your child to learn from the scenes without being directly involved and without the social pressures of real events.
Because video modeling uses pressure-free observation, it is often a great place to begin with new clients who want to master new behaviors or new scenarios or begin the steps to a complex behavior.
We use repeated video modeling to assist your child in recognizing the target behavior such as hygiene tasks, social skills or understanding, and labeling emotions.
Video modeling is an effective teaching method because it can be flexible, fun and varied to cater to your child’s needs and preferences, but it can also be viewed as a game, not traditional learning or ‘work’.
What are the Benefits of Video Modeling?
There are many benefits and research backing video modeling, but here are just a few of the benefits your child can experience when using this therapy method.
Screen Time Rewards
Many individuals with ASD enjoy their screen time and find it calming as opposed to one-on-one or real-time social situations.
Instead of fighting this strength, video modeling works with it to help teach in a way that is less likely to induce meltdowns and can be repeated to strengthen the target behavior.
Simplified Situations
Video modeling can edit situations to create simpler versions, this means we can scaffold – or build upon – different situations and gradually step up and up to reach the desired behavior, instead of expecting it all at once.
Rewinds & Repeats
One of the benefits of video over real-life is that it can be rewound and repeated, or retried. This means there is no pressure to get something perfectly the first time, and multiple viewings can be played so the target behavior is understood.
More Realism Than Photos or Stories
The last reason that video modeling can help individuals with sensory issues or ASD, is because it often mimics real life in more detail than a picture, play or story can.
This means that video modeling can better prepare your child for real situations than pictures or spoken stories alone.
We recommend video modeling be used alongside other therapies to fill in the gaps and paint a richer picture of the target behavior and scenarios that may go along with it.
Learn More About Achievement Balance Therapies & Approaches
Achievement Balance wants to help your child feel comfortable in more situations, whether that be at the store, in school or at home.
If video modeling sounds like something your child could benefit from, please call us at (972) 410-5297.
Let us help your little ones reach their full potential and act their target behaviors with ease, all while being in a calm, kind environment that makes learning fun and easy. Contact us today.
