What does the term "behavioral momentum" refer to in educational practice?

The term "behavioral momentum" in educational practice refers to the strategy of using a series of easy tasks to build engagement with harder tasks. This concept is rooted in the idea that when individuals successfully complete easier tasks, it creates a sense of accomplishment and enhances motivation to tackle more challenging tasks. By starting with simpler, more manageable activities, learners are likely to experience a boost in confidence and readiness, making it easier for them to transition to tasks that require more effort or concentration.

This approach can effectively improve student engagement and compliance by capitalizing on the success achieved during the easier tasks, which in turn generates momentum that carries through to the more difficult tasks. This incremental buildup is crucial in maintaining motivation and reducing frustration or avoidance behavior that may occur when directly confronted with challenging tasks without prior success.