Enhancing Coaching, Mentoring, and Teaching with Effective Strategies

Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction

As someone deeply committed to the art of education and guidance, I often find inspiration in Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction. These ten principles distill the essence of how we, as learners, absorb knowledge. You may recognise traces of this language in my own work, as it forms the foundation of my approach to coaching, mentoring, and teaching.

1. Begin the lesson with a review of previous learning. Commence your session by revisiting prior knowledge and experiences. This not only reinforces learning but also provides a solid foundation for new insights.

2. Present new material in small steps. Break down new material in manageable, bite-sized portions. This approach ensures that learners don't feel overwhelmed and can grasp each concept clearly.

3. Ask a large number of questions (and to all students). Encourage curiosity and engagement by asking a multitude of questions. This fosters participation and ensures that every student is involved in the learning process.

4. Provide models and worked examples. Lead by Example and offer models and worked examples to provide a tangible framework for understanding. Visualising concepts through examples can be a powerful learning tool.

5. Practise using the new material. Practice Makes Perfect. Learning is solidified through practice. Create opportunities for your clients to apply their newfound knowledge or skills in a safe and supportive environment.

6. Check for understanding frequently and correct errors. Continuously assess understanding and promptly correct errors. This proactive approach keeps learners on the right track and minimises misconceptions.

7. Obtain a high success rate. Building confidence through achievement is key to sustained motivation and growth.

8. Provide scaffolds for difficult tasks. Recognise when tasks become challenging and provide appropriate support structures. This ensures that learners can navigate difficult concepts with guidance.

9. Independent practice. Gradually transition from guided learning to independent practice. Empower your clients to apply what they've learned autonomously.

10. Regular Reviews. Periodic reviews, both weekly and monthly, help reinforce and refine acquired knowledge and skills.

Why am I sharing this with you? Because I think there's a pretty magical way of doing this coaching malarkey - that when we add a teaching approach, we can create pretty potent results.

I don't know about you but I've worked with lots of people who've really helped me work with aspects of my business (greater confidence, reflecting on my ideal client) but whose questions can sometimes feel a little...generic?

Here’s some questions I always ask of myself about my clients:

• What do my dreamy clients need to learn...about themselves, about processes, about systems? Consider what your clients need to discover about themselves, their processes, and their systems to thrive.

• How can I use exemplars to provide different approaches in a visual, auditory or actionable way? How can you use real-life examples to illustrate different approaches?

• How can I support my clients as they practice new habits or approaches? What strategies can you employ to assist your clients?

• How can I step back to support their independent growth? How can you step back and empower your clients to continue their journey independently?

What do you think about this approach? Would you like to work in this way, with this combination of learning?

With love,
Laura x

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If you enjoyed reading this blog post, here’s a few more that you may find useful for your creative small business:

1. How to prioritise self-care for mind, body and spirit

2. Unlocking sustainable success: embracing systems over goals

3. Building confidence as a small business owner