Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI)
The purpose of this Bite is to introduce you to the ways that developmental and behavioral approaches are being integrated in early childhood education.
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) are evidence-based approaches that combine principles of applied behavior analysis with developmental science to support social communication, play, and learning. They take place in everyday routines and natural environments, using child-directed activities and interests to increase motivation and engagement.
NDBIs are not a single program but rather a collection of related approaches that share a common foundation. What unites them are shared components such as child choice, embedding teaching in everyday interactions, shared control, and a focus on social communication and reciprocity. Examples include Pivotal Response Teaching (PRT), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), Project DATA, and JASPER.
Estimated Time: 22 minutes
Keywords:
Early Childhood, Preschool, Toddler, Early On, Developmental, Behavioral, Play
Introduction to NDBIs
This video describes NDBIs as a combination of developmental science with applied behavior analysis to teach and engage young children in early childhood education. It is especially effective for children with developmental delays since it emphasizes the development of social communication and reciprocity, and meaningful participation in daily activities.
The Eight Common NDBI Strategies
This video introduces you to the eight common NDBI strategies, including being on the child’s level, following the child’s lead, using positive affect and animation, modeling appropriate language, responding to attempts to communicate, using communicative temptations, frequency of direct teaching episodes, quality of direct teaching episodes. The NDBI-Fi is introduced to help you implement these strategies during naturally occurring teaching opportunities.
Practical Application of NDBI within Early Childhood Contexts
This video introduces the selection of NDBI learning targets using a matrix with children’s learning objectives. The adult will consider the child’s interests, developmental level, and environmental arrangement to support initial and ongoing engagement in an activity that is child-led. During teaching, instructors utilize child-initiated teaching opportunities, modeling behavior, prompting, prompt fading, reinforcement of attempts, and creating conditions for natural reinforcement.
Misconceptions about NDBIs
This video highlights common misconceptions about NDBIs. You will learn that NDBI programs have research support from both developmental and behavioral research literature. And although instructors follow the child’s lead, there is shared control and the teaching is structured. NDBIs can be used during play, daily routines, meals, and more to teach a wide range of skills.
Takeaways
- NDBI is derived from Developmental Psychology and the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- NDBIs are empirically validated interventions that address a wide range of developmental areas and skills.
- Several NDBI models have been validated by research and come with manuals to support implementation.
- NDBI is consistent with practices and recommendations from professional organizations such as the Division for Early Childhood and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
- Current research suggests that NDBI is a promising new approach that is not only effective but socially accepted by providers and families.