Once the toddler is consistently using the target behavior, fade the use of the VM. Fading the video allows toddlers to independently use and maintain target behaviors and allows them to use their newly acquired skill with different individuals or in new situations.
Adults should use one of the following procedures when fading videos:
By delaying the start of the video or ending it before it is over, less of the video is shown. When the amount of the video is gradually decreased, the young child sees less of the video modeling. This procedure is maintained if the young child continues to use the target behavior successfully. At a certain point, the video can be stopped entirely. Once the toddler can perform the new skill independently, a new video can be made of the toddler actively performing the task successfully (video self model). This video self model could be reinforcing to the toddler. Toddlers enjoy watching themselves in picture and videos.
This procedure can be used if a learner continues to make mistakes with certain parts of the target behavior or skill. Only the particular scene where the mistake has been occurring is played for the learner to re-watch and practice.
In the washing hands example, if the toddler correctly performs all the steps in washing their hands, except drying them once they are done, then the section of the video that shows them drying their hands would be the only piece shown.
Adults may allow the toddler to continue watching the video and point out specific skills that the toddler may have difficulty mastering. Using the washing hands example, the adult may say “look at how they are drying their hands” when it is demonstrated in the video.