How does scaffolding support reading instruction?

Scaffolding is an essential instructional strategy that involves providing tailored support to students as they learn new skills or concepts. It helps students achieve independence by offering gradually fading assistance, allowing them to take on more responsibility for their learning as they develop competence.

In the context of reading instruction, scaffolding may start with the teacher providing explicit guidance or modeling strategies such as predicting, summarizing, or questioning. As students become more proficient, the support is systematically reduced. This gradual removal of assistance encourages students to apply their developing skills independently, fostering confidence and competence in their reading abilities.

Understanding this approach is crucial because it emphasizes the importance of building on what students already know and ensuring they have the tools they need before expecting them to perform tasks independently. Thus, through structured and supportive interactions, scaffolding plays a significant role in enhancing students' reading capabilities.