Table 5 Operational Definitions of Children’s Verbal Behavior Tasks

Dependent Variable	Participant	Task	Operational Definition
Verbal Behavior Tasks	A	1	• When the mother says, “Do this like mom” and models drinking from a cup, the child picks up the cup and drinks within 5 seconds without any prompts.
		2	• When the mother says, “Do this like mom” and models using a fork to pick up clay and feed a doll, the child picks up the fork and feeds the doll within 5 seconds without any prompts.
		Generalization	• When the mother says, “Do this like mom” and models saying “Ah,” the child imitates the sound “Ah” within 5 seconds without any prompts.
	B	1	• When the mother asks a question including a wh-word, the child answers appropriately within 5 seconds without any prompts.Example) Who helps you when you are sick? — Doctor
		2	• When the mother asks about the function of an object, the child answers appropriately within 5 seconds without any prompts.Example) What do you do with a toothbrush? — Brush my teeth
		Generalization	• While reading a book, when the mother asks about the feature, function, or shape, the child answers appropriately within 5 seconds without any prompts.
	C	1	• When the mother holds a figure and says, “Put it in front of (behind) the car,” the child places the figure in front of (behind) the car within 5 seconds without any prompts.
		2	• When the mother holds a figure and says, “Put it on (next to) the car,” the child places the figure on (next to) the car within 5 seconds without any prompts.
		Generalization	• While looking at a picture, when the mother says, “Point to the animal under the bed,” the child points to the correct picture within 5 seconds without any prompts.