Color-matching technique to train children in the correct use of stairs

Color cues were used to train four severely retarded children and two learning disabled children to move in a left foot-right foot alteration pattern when using stairs. The occurrence of left-right alterations and marking time behavior was recorded throughout baseline and training conditions. The color-cue procedure effectively produced a consistent pattern of alteration of four of the children and eliminated marking time in three of the children. Physical prompts were used to train alteration in two children for whom color-cue training was not sufficient. At the termination of training, observations of the children's performances in new settings and to new adults were conducted. Results indicated that the children continued to alternate correctly. In addition, follow-up investigations conducted between two weeks to 16 months after training indicated that the children were maintaining the stair alteration pattern. Future research should determine whether a visual-cue procedure could be used in training other forms of locomotion or motor behavior.