What is positional prompting?

Positional prompting refers to the strategy of changing the physical location of stimuli to cue or assist individuals in responding correctly or engaging with an activity. This method takes advantage of spatial relationships and the environment to guide behavior. For example, placing desired items in more accessible locations can encourage a child to interact with them or complete a task. This technique is particularly useful in educational and therapeutic contexts, where arranging the environment can significantly influence outcomes and aid learning.

Manipulating the physical position of stimuli can help learners make connections between the prompts and desired behaviors, enhancing their understanding and engagement. It is a practical approach in behavior modification and skill acquisition, where the arrangement of items can prompt a response without overt verbal or visual instructions.