Pilot study of a manualized behavioral coaching program to improve dance performance

Quinn et al. (2022) built a small, ready-to-follow coaching plan called POINTE. It mixes behavioral skills training with short video clips.

Four dance teachers used the plan with neurotypical kids. The researchers watched three dance moves per child and tracked skill growth across time.

Every child hit higher scores on each dance move after the teachers ran POINTE. Gains showed up only when coaching started, a clear link to the program.

Clayton et al. (2019) and Matos et al. (2020) already showed that a 10-minute BST burst can push staff accuracy from about 60 % to 90 % or more. POINTE keeps the brief format but adds video modeling, proving the combo works outside clinic drills.

Green-Short et al. (2025) used a similar BST setup to improve bowling form in adults with IDD. Both studies used a multiple-baseline design and saw skill gains, but POINTE targeted neurotypical kids and saw clear performance jumps, while the bowling study cleaned up form without raising scores—an apparent contradiction explained by different success metrics (skill vs. game points).

Olaff et al. (2025) later showed BST helps educators generalize DTT skills to new programs. POINTE foreshadowed this: instructors applied the same coaching steps to brand-new dance moves, showing generalization in a sport context.

If you teach any motor or play skill, keep a short BST script plus video examples handy. A five-minute model-practice-feedback loop can lift learner form without long lectures or extra staff. Try filming a brief demo on your phone, show it before practice, and give instant feedback—just like POINTE.