Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
Caregivers often rely on screen media to occupy young children during periods when caregiver attention is unavailable, despite evidence linking early screen exposure to adverse developmental outcomes. An alternative approach is to provide high-quality, noncontingent attention (NCA) during play prior to independent activity. Although NCA reduces attention-maintained challenging behavior, the optimal duration of NCA and children’s preference for caregiver interaction relative to screen time remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of varying durations of caregiver-delivered NCA on young children’s independent play, attention-seeking behavior, and preference for NCA compared to screen time. Three caregiver–child dyads participated in a multielement design comparing No NCA and 1-, 5-, 10-, and 20-min NCA conditions. Measures included duration of independent play, frequency and latency of requests for caregiver attention, and duration of caregiver attention during subsequent independent play periods. Caregivers were trained using behavioral skills training. Children’s preferences for NCA, no interaction, or screen time were assessed using a concurrent-chains procedure, and social validity was evaluated via caregiver interviews and rating scales. Across participants, the 10-min NCA condition produced the most consistent increases in independent play and reductions in requests for caregiver attention, whereas shorter and longer durations were less effective. All children selected NCA over screen time, and caregivers reported high acceptability and continued use of the strategies. These findings suggest that brief, high-quality caregiver attention prior to independent play is a socially valid alternative to screen time that promotes independence and strengthens caregiver–child relationships.
Date
4-28-2026
Recommended Citation
Newell, Kristen, "Noncontingent Parental Attention Leads to Independent Play and is Preferred By Toddlers Over Screen Time" (2026). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 7077.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/7077
Committee Chair
Donaldson, Jeanne M.
LSU Acknowledgement
1
LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment
1