As a child begins to respond consistently, what schedule of reinforcement is recommended?

When a child starts responding consistently to a particular behavior, transitioning to an intermittent schedule of reinforcement is recommended. An intermittent schedule not only helps to maintain the learned behavior over time but also fosters perseverance and resilience. This approach provides reinforcement after a certain number of responses or at varying intervals rather than every time the behavior occurs.

Using an intermittent schedule helps to create a more robust learning process since the child no longer expects rewards after every single response, which can lead to dependency on constant reinforcement. It encourages the child to persist in the behavior even when reinforcement is not immediately available, helping them develop intrinsic motivation and a deeper understanding of the task. This strategy is often more effective for long-term retention of skills and behaviors, making it a suitable choice once consistency in response is observed.

In contrast, continuous reinforcement, while good for initial learning, can lead to rapid extinction if reinforcement is not continued. Random schedules may create confusion and unpredictability without fostering the expected behavior pattern effectively. Scheduled break reinforcement is not a standard term used in reinforcement schedules and is less applicable in this context. Thus, an intermittent schedule of reinforcement aligns best with the goal of sustaining and strengthening the child's behavior over time.