When fading prompts, when should you provide better rewards?

Providing better rewards when fading prompts is most effective when the student responds with less assistance. This is based on the principle of reinforcing the desirable behavior as it becomes more independent. As less assistance is given, the student is demonstrating increased competence and understanding of the task. Offering enhanced rewards at this point serves to strengthen that behavior and encourages the student to continue to perform independently.

When students begin to show signs of independence, it's crucial to reinforce that progress. Better rewards can act as a motivating factor, promoting further engagement and learning without relying heavily on prompts. This approach aligns with the goal of teaching individuals to rely less on external cues and prompts and more on their own skills and knowledge.

On the other hand, if a student is still needing more assistance or if the instruction is less structured, providing better rewards might not be as beneficial since the behavior has not yet reached a level of independence that warrants increased reinforcement. Likewise, in situations where a student is easily distracted, the focus should be on maintaining attention and engagement rather than altering the reward system prematurely.