VIDBE-Q Volume 69 Issue 2
participated in this study reported that their students were becoming less
aggressive, completing tasks quicker, were interested in learning, becoming more
confident, responding positively, requiring less prompting, and they were willing
to participate and try new things (Armstrong, 2023).
Educational Milieu
In the closing of my dissertation, I proposed the question "Is hand under
hand a form of prompting nestled in the most restrictive location of the prompt
hierarchy? Or is hand under hand a strategy for teaching?" (Armstrong, 2023, p.
110). The data I collected suggested that hand under hand meets both of these
criteria, while simultaneously offering an opportunity to create a positive and
motivating learning environment. When training others to use hand under hand
instruction I describe it as a way to encourage active participation, provide
authentic learning opportunities, creating an environment in which children choose
to participate, and encourages increased independence. The adult is essentially
creating a learning environment that builds trusting relationships between adult and
child.
In my research, I am finding that the simple act of replacing hand over hand
support with hand under hand support changes the overall dynamic of an
interaction. As you saw, the initial outcomes were positive, and what I continue to
see as I train additional teams.
