True or False: Using natural rewards that the student might encounter in real-life promotes skill maintenance.

Using natural rewards that a student might encounter in real life is indeed true for promoting skill maintenance. Natural rewards are those that occur in everyday situations and are directly related to the behaviors or skills being learned. When students receive these rewards for their actions or accomplishments, they are more likely to associate their conduct with positive outcomes experienced in their daily lives.

For example, if a student learns to communicate their needs effectively and receives social praise from peers or family in real-life contexts, this reinforces the behavior significantly. The connection between the skill and its natural reinforcement enhances the likelihood that the student will continue to use the skill outside of the learning environment.

This approach aligns with principles of behavior analysis where reinforcement plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining behavior over time. Moreover, by integrating natural rewards into the learning process, students are encouraged to practice their skills in authentic scenarios, making it easier for them to generalize what they've learned and apply it in various contexts. This leads to a more lasting and meaningful mastery of skills compared to artificial or contrived rewards that may not be present or relevant in real-life situations.