Reliability and Reactivity of Self-Recording by Preschool Children

Abstract

Reliability and reactivity are two important aspects of self-recording which have been studied in school-age children and adults. Little research on reliability and reactivity of self-recording by preschool children is available. The reliability of preschool children as recorders of their own behavior and whether reactive changes (or increases in behavior) occurred as a result of self-monitoring were evaluated. Two types of training in self-monitoring (didactic instruction vs guided practice) were received by two independent groups of 6 preschool children. Reliable self-recording for children ages 4 through 5 was not attained. Reactive changes in the recorded behavior were not observed.