In forward chaining, which behavior is targeted first?

In forward chaining, the targeted behavior to be taught first is the initial behavior of the chain. This approach focuses on teaching the steps of a task in their natural order, beginning with the first task in the sequence. By mastering the initial behavior, which serves as the foundation of the entire task, the learner can gradually build upon their skills as they progress through the remaining behaviors in the chain.

The advantage of starting with the first behavior is that it allows the learner to experience success early on, which can be motivating. Once the initial behavior is learned, the subsequent behaviors are taught one at a time, always reinforcing the completed steps to promote fluency and confidence in executing the task as a whole.

The other options do not align with the principles of forward chaining. For example, teaching the last behavior first or in random order would not effectively build the necessary skills sequentially. Additionally, focusing first on the most complex behavior could overwhelm the learner and hinder learning progress. Forward chaining relies on a structured approach that prioritizes the sequence of behaviors starting from the beginning.