What is the first step in teaching a new skill, according to effective instructional practices?

The first step in teaching a new skill is working directly with the child. This approach emphasizes the importance of hands-on interaction and personalized guidance, which lays the foundation for effective learning. By engaging directly with the child, the instructor can assess their current understanding, tailor the instruction to their needs, and create an environment that encourages exploration and discovery.

Direct interaction allows the teacher to model the desired skill, provide immediate feedback, and make adjustments in real-time based on the child's responses. This personalized attention helps build the child's confidence and motivation, which are crucial components for successful skill acquisition.

While group discussions, written instructions, and video demonstrations can all be useful tools in the learning process, they often serve better as supplementary methods once the child is familiar with the basics through direct engagement. These alternatives might lack the immediate feedback and tailored support that come from working directly with the child.