As adults we are rarely in the position where we are learning a new skill, and we forget how difficult it can be learning something new as a child. So, when we keep asking our child to do a task, that we may think is relatively simple, to them it may be a very complex request.
What is a task analysis?
A task analysis is a procedure where you take a task, for example tooth brushing, and you break that skill down into its smaller components. A task analysis needs to be individualised, for some people a task analysis may be broken into 6 smaller steps where as someone else it may be 21 steps. You will also need to look at the equipment and environment. Do you need to squeeze the toothpaste or press the lever? Do you need to turn the tap or lift lever? The best way to complete a task analysis is to watch an “expert” (an expert is anyone who can successfully complete the task). The best way to explain what a task analysis is, is to think about a recipe book. The target is to bake a cake, in the recipe book it gives you step by step instructions on how to get to your end goal of baking a cake.
Example task analysis for brushing teeth
1. Enter bathroom
2. Locate toothbrush
3. Pick up toothbrush
4. Locate toothpaste and pick up toothpaste
5. Squeeze a pea size amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush
6. Place toothpaste down on side
7. Turn cold tap on
8. Place toothbrush under for 2 seconds
9. Remove toothbrush from tap
10. Turn tap off
11. Place toothbrush in mouth
12. Brush back and forth on bottom left side
13. Brush back and forth on bottom right side
14. Spit into sink
15. Turn tap on to rinse sink
16. Turn tap off
17. Place toothbrush in mouth
18. Brush back and forth on top left side
19. Brush back and forth on top right side
20. Spit in sink
21. Turn tap on to rinse sink
22. Turn tap off
23. Place toothbrush in mouth brush front teeth moving brush side to side
24. Spit in sink
25. Turn tap on to rinse sink
26. Turn tap off
27. Place toothbrush back in holder
Are you thinking brushing teeth is more complex than you originally thought? Once we become fluent in a skill, we forget how difficult these tasks are. For some individuals they may also have a cognitive disability which may make learning a new skill even more complex.
Teaching element
Now we have broken the skill down, we can work on teaching each component of the task. There are various ways you can do this, prompting, modelling, and chaining are three main strategies that can be used to help with the teaching element of learning a new skill. You could also implement a token economy system to help with your child’s motivation towards learning the new skills (see blog post token economy; https://www.adaptbehaviour.co.uk/post/how-to-avoid-the-5-common-mistake-of-using-a-token-economy-system-reward-chart).
Pictorial task analysis
For some individuals they may find a pictorial task analysis really helpful. If we go back to the toothbrushing example, you could place a pictorial task analysis in the bathroom to support your child to know what they need to do, further aiding an independent skill. There are some standard pictorial formats on google, you could create your own, you could use a system called board maker, SRIBD or PECS. If you are creative, you may even look at making your own. If your child will pose for the pictures you need, this may be a fun way to get your child involved and take ownership of learning their new skill.
Here is an example pictorial task analysis created using SCRIBD https://www.scribd.com/doc/13089276/Visual-Schedule-Teeth
You need to go at your child’s pace, as a behaviour analyst we are driven by data. A saying that I always stand by is the “child is always right” coined by Ogden Lindsey. Now what he meant here was that if the child hasn’t mastered the skill you need to keep teaching and or change your teaching style to support learning.
Make it fun
The definition of fun will vary from child to child. But learning a new skill can feel overwhelming, but adding a “fun” element may make the task something the child looks forward to learning. Let’s stick with the toothbrushing example, now there are many ways you can make what some may see as a boring task fun. Here are just a few examples of how you could make brushing teeth fun:
Create a toothbrush song and or dance
Purchasing a funny timer to help your child to know how long to brush their teeth
Brush your teeth together and make silly faces.
Let your child brush your teeth
Adding choice and control
Now, where possible giving your child some choice and control will help with the success of learning the new skill. Again, sticking with the toothbrush example, this may be letting your child pick their toothbrush and or toothpaste. If your child has sensory processing issues you may need to do your research with this, now this does not necessarily mean scrolling through the internet, but you may pick a few different types of toothbrushes and seeing which one your child favours.
Remember a new skill does not happen over-night, it may take days, weeks, or even months for your child to fully master a new skill. Each child is different, as long as you are seeing improvements keep doing what you are doing. If you do not see any improvements after a few days maybe weeks, you may need to re-think your approach.
Adapt Behaviour offer online training on the use of a Task Analysis:
Parents: Supporting my child with a new skill #07537
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