Decreasing Violent or Aggressive Theme Play among Preschool Children with Behavior Disorders

Two procedures for reducing the violent or aggressive theme play of preschool children with behavior disorders were compared in an alternating-treatments design during two daily freeplay periods. The treatments consisted of (a) a contingency statement followed by a modified time-out on a small rug if violent or aggressive theme play continued and (b) a verbal prompt to engage in more appropriate types of play. Both treatments produced a decrease in the frequency of such play though contingency statements produced consistently lower rates of violent or aggressive theme play than did the verbal prompt. These findings are discussed in light of special educators’ need for effective behavior management procedures.