Prompting for Dummies

Prompting is a word we use to describe a way of helping someone, like you, with learning difficulties, to do something or understand something. It's like a little nudge or reminder that gets your brain thinking in the right direction. It's like when you are trying to remember a song but can't quite get all the lyrics, and then someone says a word that triggers your memory and all the lyrics come flooding back. That's what prompting does - it helps to trigger your memory or thinking so that you can achieve your goal.

For example, let's say we're working on a math problem together, and you're trying to add two numbers. Sometimes, you might get stuck and not know what the next step is. In that moment, I might give you a prompt by asking a question like, "What do you do when you want to find the answer to an addition problem?" Can you think of how prompts could help in this situation? It's because sometimes we just need a little reminder or hint to get us back on track.

Now, prompting can take different forms depending on the situation. It can be verbal, like me asking you a question or giving you a hint. It can also be physical, where I gently guide your hand or point to something to help illustrate a concept. Sometimes, it can be visual, like using pictures or diagrams to help you understand something better. The important thing to remember here is that prompts are meant to assist and support you, not to do the work for you. They are like training wheels on a bike - they help you learn, but eventually, you'll be able to do it on your own.

Another way to think about prompting is like a toolbox that we have in our brains. As we learn new things, we collect tools that help us solve problems. Prompts are like those tools - they help us when we're stuck or confused. Just like a carpenter needs different tools to build a house, we need different prompts depending on what we're trying to accomplish. So, think of me as your teacher with a big toolbox full of prompts, ready to help you whenever you need it.

In summary, prompting is a way to assist and support you in your learning journey. It's like a little nudge or reminder that helps your brain think in the right direction. Just like training wheels on a bike, prompts help you learn and eventually become independent. So, don't be afraid to ask for prompts when you need them, because they are there to help you succeed!