The spatial distribution of behavior under varying frequencies of temporally scheduled water delivery.

Researchers watched rats move around a big box. Water dripped at three spots on a timed schedule. The team changed how often each spot gave water.

They tracked where the rats spent every second for many sessions. No lever press or nose poke was needed. The water just arrived on a clock.

Rats parked themselves near the spot that gave the most water. Time in each place matched the water ratio almost perfectly.

One height level always won. Even when side spots paid more, rats still hugged the tall center wall.

Rilling et al. (1969) first showed pigeons divide time the same way they divide rewards. Lancioni et al. (2000) proves the rule still works when the reward is place, not pecks.

Deluty et al. (1978) ran the mirror image: rats matched time to shock locations. Together the papers say, "Organisms track rates, good or bad, and park accordingly."

Richman et al. (2001) added distance. They put earn and take levers far apart and saw rats stash more food. That study plus this one tells us space is not background—it is part of the schedule.

Your client may be "matching" the room, not the task. If most tickles, snacks, or bubbles land near the left shelf, the child will live there. Spread high-pay items around to pull movement and cut stereotypy. Check height too—kids climb when the good stuff is up high.