What does prompting look like?

Answered by Tom Adger

Prompting is a way to guide and support a student in understanding and completing a task or activity. It involves using words or cues to help the student know what is expected of them without explicitly providing all the details. It is a way to gently nudge the student in the right direction without giving them the answer outright.

Verbal prompting, specifically, involves using words or verbal cues to assist the student. It can take various forms, depending on the situation and the needs of the student. For example, a teacher might ask a simple question like “What’s next?” to prompt the student to think about the next step in a task or activity. This helps the student to stay on track and continue progressing towards the goal.

Another way verbal prompting can be used is by giving a verbal cue for the correct answer. For instance, if a student is struggling to remember a word, the teacher might give them the first sound or letter of the word as a prompt. This can help the student to recall the word they are searching for and continue with their task.

Verbal prompting can also involve giving hints or clues that steer the student towards the correct answer or solution. For example, if a student is working on a math problem and is stuck, the teacher might provide a verbal prompt such as “Think about what you know about addition” or “Remember to carry over the ones place.” These prompts help the student to think critically and apply their knowledge to solve the problem.

It’s important to note that verbal prompting should be used strategically and gradually faded as the student becomes more independent and confident in their abilities. The goal is to eventually reduce the need for prompting and empower the student to problem-solve and complete tasks on their own.

Verbal prompting is a technique used to assist students in understanding and completing tasks or activities. It involves using words or cues to guide the student without providing all the details or answers. Verbal prompts can take various forms, such as asking questions, giving cues for the correct answer, or providing hints or clues. The ultimate aim is to gradually fade the prompts and foster independent learning and problem-solving skills in the student.