The 'just-right' challenge: making tasks achievable

We need to give each child the ‘just right’ challenge by making tasks ‘not too easy but not too hard’. In other words, this is a task that requires effort to accomplish but is possible to accomplish. You can then make the activity easier or more difficult in stages. You can do this by breaking the task down into manageable steps.

Think about when you are trying to learn ‘a new skill’. If the task is too easy, it is not challenging and you get bored quickly. If the task is too challenging, then you become frustrated and may give up, this may also mean that you lose confidence in your abilities.

Hints and tips for learning new skills

• Make activity fun! Learn through play
• Reward systems can be key
• Lots of consistent repetition
• Lots of encouragement and praise!