Which pairing strategy involves staying close and eye level with the learner?

• A. Use punishment to increase motivation
• B. Stay close, get to eye level, and face the learner
• C. Avoid eye contact to reduce anxiety
• D. Present the most valuable items first

Answer: (B)

Staying close, being at eye level, and facing the learner are about building rapport through supportive, nonverbal presence. When you position yourself near the learner, lower or align your gaze to theirs, and face them directly, you signal safety, warmth, and readiness to engage. This reduces mistrust and anxiety, making the learner more likely to attend, participate, and trust the adult guiding the interaction. In pairing, the goal is to establish a positive connection first, so these cues are the most effective way to set a calm, cooperative tone.

The other options don’t support this rapport-building approach. Punishment to increase motivation can create fear and resistance, undermining trust. Avoiding eye contact can heighten anxiety and convey disengagement. Presenting the most valuable items first addresses motivation or preference, but it doesn’t cultivate the relational groundwork essential for effective pairing.