Susan & Deanna’s Coding Corner

“WOW!!!”  Is that an Unlabeled Praise or Parent Talk/Acknowledgement?  PCITers can spend a lot of time discussing these questions, so I thought I’d write up a little something for our coding corner on this:

So, according to the DPICS 4 manual, certain acknowledgments that are typically coded as “Talk” may be used idiomatically as expressions of Unlabeled Praise when they are used to express approval or positively evaluate the child’s activities, products, or attributes – like “High five!” or “Thatta boy!”  These expressions should definitely be coded as Unlabeled Praise.

Expressions such as “Wow,” “There you go,” “Alright,” can also communicate approval or positive evaluations – but not always.  One way you can be sure that they communicate approval is if the “WOW” is in capital letters (just kidding, wanted to make sure you were paying attention).  One way you can be sure that they communicate approval is if the “WOW” is accompanied by a non-verbal gesture clearly indicating approval, like a smile, clap, or positive touch.  If “WOW” is not accompanied by a smile, clap, or positive touch, code it as Parent Talk/Acknowledgment (even if it is in capital letters).