Building on a child's strengths to set up situations in which the child is in control and will experience success while enjoying challenges within reach

The teacher sets up fail-safe situations in which each child can initiate successful activity —working out some possibilities, discovering things for himself, extending his problem-solving skills, and enjoying the challenge that is within reach. Only when the task is within their control can children take on new learning with success and enthusiasm.

Effective teachers provide a delicate balance of ease and challenge so that the learner will continue to learn, experience success, and enjoy the process. Teachers accept and acknowledge a child’s attempts and approximations that are ‘almost right.’

Being in control is important at every point in a child’s learning. Teachers who know what a child controls can call for the child to initiate and carry out actions on his own — building independent learning from the very beginning.

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