What is an example of scaffolding in education?

Scaffolding in education refers to the support provided to students to help them achieve understanding and mastery of a concept or skill that they cannot yet accomplish independently. This approach is centered around gradually increasing the complexity of tasks while providing appropriate support as students develop their capabilities.

The option that describes scaffolding effectively is modeling a skill for a child to imitate. Through modeling, the educator demonstrates the desired behavior or skill, allowing the child to observe how it is done. This initial guidance is crucial because it lays the foundation for the child's learning. Once the child understands the skill through observation, they can start to practice it themselves, often with continued support until they gain confidence and competence.

This method builds on the student's existing knowledge and skills, fostering independence and deeper understanding as the support is gradually removed, which is a key characteristic of effective scaffolding.