Shaping (Successive Approximation) in Teaching

Shaping, or successive approximation, is a very useful behavioral technique for training in new activities. It’s assumed that, by giving a child the guidelines of how to do something, they’ll understand and subsequently know how to do it. However, this isn’t always the case. This often causes conflict. Basically, because teachers might assume that the child doesn’t want to do it. However, in reality, they simply don’t know how to. Teachers normally use shaping to teach children. However, it can also be useful with adults. It’s based on reinforcement and punishment. What’s shaping? Shaping is a procedure that teachers use…