Portage Guide to Early Education,III: a rapid training and feedback system to teach and maintain mothers,teaching skills

This study reports an evaluation of a method of modifying the teaching skills of three parents of children with severe and profound learning difficulties using a Portage Service. The intervention consisted of a brief verbal and written presentation of the intervention of correct teaching methods. Modelling and brief verbal feedback were also used in the initial parent training session. Maintenance was carried out using systematic positive monitoring every week. Weekly written and verbal feedback were given to the parents. The feedback was based on scoring videotapes of the previous week's teaching session. A measure of far generalisation, the Home Visitors’ written notes on records of children not involved directly in this study, indicated some limited generalisation to families not directly participating in the study. The implication for training of Home Visitors and parents within Portage and similar services are discussed.