Practice is essential for developing skills from "summary" of Why Don't Students Like School? by Daniel T. Willingham
The idea that practice is essential for developing skills is based on a simple truth: the more you practice something, the better you get at it. This principle holds true for all skills, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional. When we practice a skill, we are essentially training our brains to perform that skill more efficiently and effectively. This is because practice helps to strengthen the neural pathways in our brain that are associated with that particular skill. The more we practice, the stronger these pathways become, making it easier for us to perform the skill in the future. Furthermore, practice helps us to automate the skills we are learning. When we first start practicing a new skill, we have to consciously think about each step involved in performing it. However, as we practice more and more, these steps become ingrained in our muscle memory, making it easier for us to perform the skill without having to think about it. In addition to improving our ability to perform a skill, practice also helps to build our confidence. When we practice and see ourselves making progress, we become more confident in our abilities. This confidence can then motivate us to continue practicing and improving even further.- The more we practice a skill, the better we will become at it. Practice is not just about repetition; it is about actively engaging with the skill and pushing ourselves to improve. By putting in the time and effort to practice, we can develop the skills we need to succeed in any area of our lives.
