What skill is the coach demonstrating when acknowledging a client's reduction in screen time?

The skill being demonstrated when acknowledging a client's reduction in screen time is affirmations. Affirmations are specific statements that recognize and validate a client's efforts, strengths, and achievements. By acknowledging the reduction in screen time, the coach is reinforcing the client’s positive behavior change, which can enhance the client's motivation and self-efficacy.

This acknowledgment helps to build rapport and encourages further progress by highlighting the client's commitment to their goals. It serves as a positive reinforcement that can empower the client, making them more likely to continue making healthy choices. Such recognition is a foundational element in coaching, as it fosters a supportive environment where clients feel appreciated and motivated to maintain their changes.

While empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of the client, and open-ended questioning encourages dialogue and exploration, the specific act of recognizing achievements is what characterizes affirmations. Motivational interviewing is a broader counseling approach that encompasses various skills, including affirmations, but the question asks for a specific skill demonstrated in the scenario. Therefore, affirmations are the most accurate choice here.