Can skills improvement occur with 1-2 times practice weekly?

Answer 1

Practice will help you to improve. Repetition is extremely helpful for building skill and retaining information. But it also matters what you are practicing, and how you are doing it. Some methods are more helpful than others. For example, rote memorization (like using flashcards) and copying are not very effective strategies for improving skill or remembering information long term. You would be more successful if you discussed the skill with others, taught others, or practiced using the skill in different types of situations.

Additionally, your personal learning style plays a role in helping you to improve your skills in any area. If you are a visual learner you would probably benefit from using and creating pictures, graphs, and visual demonstrations to help you to remember and grow in the skills that you have learned. If you are an auditory learner, then you would do better by listening to examples, explanations, and discussion of the topic of study. If you are a kinesthetic learner, then you will likely do best with hands on materials.

Finally, make sure that you understand the skill that you are practicing. This is especially important if you are working with young learners. Learners will need to start their practice with real life concrete objects and ideas. They need to begin with real things that relate to them. For example, a child will start learning about addition by counting and adding real objects in front of them. They do not need to start with abstract written equations. Make sure that what you are doing to practice your skill matches your level of understanding.

Answer 2

Yes, it can make a big difference when you are disciplined enough to practice something several times a week, especially if they use their learning style to back up what they're trying to learn.

Answer 3

Yes! Students can be successful at increasing their skills and level of understanding with weekly practice, both in person and with dedicated times to working on skills in between tutoring sessions. With 30 minutes per day/per subject practice, students will make great strides and have the opportunity to see both improvement and encouragment in a supportive tutoring environment with positive feedback.