Training parents to observe and record: a data-based outcome evaluation of a pilot curriculum

Despite the prevalence of training parents in the use of child behavior management strategies, relatively little investigative attention has been devoted to promoting acquisition of parent observational and recording skills. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a brief curriculum designed to teach parents how to observe and record targeted child behaviors systematically. Subsequent to instruction, each of six participating parents demonstrated, in an analogue context, higher levels of both occurrence and nonoccurrence agreement, based upon their recordings of child behavior, when compared with those of a panel of experienced professionals. Agreement of parental recordings with those of professionals typically increased to a predetermined mastery criterion and stabilized subsequent to training, relative to a high degree of variability during baseline. Results are discussed in terms of directions for further refinement of the curriculum and additional study of its impact.