Practice
Practice is a companion to play; its focus is less on discovery and exploration and more on honing skills and performances. Practice entails deliberate attention to failing and learning from mistakes, often guided by images of quality and craftsmanship in performance and product. Sir Ken Robinson (2001) reminds us that the development of creativity requires a willingness to be wrong. Messing around, tinkering, and play allow young people to try things out with low risk. Our guess is that Robinson would have us treat play and practice as one, but we prefer to honor their subtle but distinctive features.
Do I have opportunities to engage in deep and sustained practice of the skills I need to learn?
Do my teachers guide me in practicing correctly?
Do you provide my child with opportunities to engage in deep and sustained practice of the skills they need to learn?
Do you coach my child in practicing correctly?
Do my students have opportunities to engage in deep and sustained practice of the skills they need to learn?
Do I guide my students in practicing correctly?
