Step 1.6 Determine the baseline

a) Select a data collection method

Collecting appropriate data is important to increase the likelihood of successful implementation of VM.  For example, to increase (or decrease) a behavior, data needs to be collected to determine how often the behavior occurs initially (baseline). Therefore, as part of the planning process, you must consider your data collecting method.

Here is an example of data collecting and recording on a simple chart. The chart identifies the days of the week and the frequency the behavior (i.e., toddler leaving their seat) was observed. Using this example, the frequency (or total within a given period of time, in the case below per day) of the behavior can be easily collected.

Days	Out of Seat	Total
Monday	✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓	9
Tuesday	✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓	16
Wednesday	✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓	13
Thursday	✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓	17
Friday	✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓	12

 

This table can easily be expanded to collect more than one behavior or more than one toddler.

b) Collect baseline data

Once the target behavior and data collection methods are identified, the next step is to start collecting baseline data.

A clearly defined behavior might be “Nigel will help others pick up and put away toys after play.”

Notice how behavior is defined. Picking up and putting away toys is an observable task and should not require additional descriptors to determine the mastery of the task. Either Nigel did or did not help pick up and put away toys after play activity, given that he does understand what is meant by picking up and putting away toys. If there is some difficulty with completing the task, the quantity of toys or the amount of support that is required to successfully complete the task can be counted.

During baseline, Nigel does not assist in picking up and putting away the toys after play activity.

This is observed for five consecutive days or activities. The level of support that is needed might also be determined before baseline data is collected.

It is important to understand skills that toddlers may already have or how much of the target skill/behavior they can do at baseline. This information will assist you in setting clear expectations for improvement or completing of the task.