The proximal zone of development:
The challenge is in the child’s proximal zone of development if the child can concentrate and use energy on the activity. The child is allowed to make mistakes, but has to ex- perience improvement or master the activity after 5-7 repetitions, or within a period of practising for 5 minutes.
The child stays on this level until full mastery, when the skill becomes automatic.
Too challenging:
The challenge is too difficult if the child is not experiencing improvement or mastery after 5-7 repetitions or within a period of practicing for 5 minutes. If the child feels that the challenge is too difficult, it is impor- tant that the teacher takes responsibility
to allow them to experience mastery on an easier level, so they can remain motivated to be challenged.
If the child generally cannot cope with motor activities on their age level, it is recommended to assess whether they have difficulties in coping at this level in other areas, or if it is a more specific challenge that prevents them from succeeding in
this activity.
Too easy:
The challenge is too easy if the child, with- out help, completes the activity the first time they try, and several times in a row.
It is also too easy if the child completes the challenge without using full concentration and attention.
Challenges that seem too easy can be used for free play. Doing so, the activities help physical and motor skills, as well as emotion- al and social competencies to require less conscious attention.