What helps students build confidence to perform a skill?

Watching others can be a powerful strategy for helping students build confidence in performing a skill. This observational learning allows students to see techniques demonstrated in real-time, often by peers or experienced individuals. As they watch, they can identify successful movement patterns, understand how to execute skills correctly, and witness the application of strategies in action.

This visual exposure increases understanding and helps demystify complex movements, making it easier for students to imagine themselves performing similar tasks successfully. Furthermore, seeing their peers succeed can enhance motivation and self-belief, as learners may become more inclined to mimic the behaviors of those they admire or who they relate to.

While all the options provided can contribute to skill acquisition and confidence in different ways, the act of watching peers or skilled individuals serves as a tangible model that students can reference, ultimately boosting their self-efficacy in performing the skill themselves.