In early instruction, giving temporary supports to help a student complete a task is best described as which practice?

• A. Scaffolding
• B. Direct instruction
• C. Independent practice
• D. Assessment

Answer: (A)

Temporary supports that help a learner complete a task are a hallmark of scaffolding. Scaffolding provides just enough guidance—such as modeling, prompts, breaking a task into smaller steps, or giving cues—to help the learner perform the task with assistance. As the learner gains skill, these supports are gradually faded or removed to promote independence. This is different from direct instruction, which is explicit teaching of skills to the learner; independent practice, where the learner works alone after instruction; and assessment, which is about measuring progress. For example, when teaching a child to button a coat, you might model the steps, give stepwise prompts, and then slowly reduce prompts as the child can button independently.