The Science of Practice: Eight Powerful Ways to Improve Learning

Over the years, I’ve worked with countless struggling students, many of whom have dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning challenges. Two of the biggest obstacles they face isn’t a lack of intelligence or effort—it’s anxiety and focus. The fear of making mistakes can be paralyzing, preventing them from practicing and, ultimately, from improving.

I’ve seen firsthand that the way a person practices makes all the difference. Through structured, strategic practice, I’ve helped students build confidence, turning anxiety into progress. Practice isn’t just about repetition—it’s about purposeful learning that strengthens memory and skill retention.

The Science Behind Effective Practice

Research supports what I’ve witnessed in my work: purposeful practice leads to stronger neural connections and long-term learning gains. Studies confirm that structured practice enhances performance:

• A study in Psychological Science found that spacing and varied practice lead to better learning outcomes.
• Research published in Cognitive Neuroscience highlights how targeted learning rewires the brain, reinforcing information in memory.
• The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance outlines principles of deliberate practice, distinguishing experts from novices.

In my tutoring sessions, I incorporate these research-backed techniques to help students practice strategically rather than falling into the trap of ineffective repetition.

Eight Ways to Improve Practice

Rather than following a rigid formula, students can use eight approaches to optimize their practice. They don’t need to apply all of them—choosing the ones that suit their learning style can still lead to success.

1. You Can’t Practice Something You Don’t Understand

Before practicing a skill, you need a basic understanding of how it works. A struggling reader learning to decode words must first recognize that putting “S” and “H” together creates the “SH” sound rather than pronouncing each letter separately. Without this foundational knowledge, practice becomes frustrating and ineffective.

2. Define Your Goal Before You Start

Effective practice begins with a clear objective. A student memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution should ask themselves: Am I trying to recite it flawlessly, or just understand its meaning? By identifying the purpose behind the practice, they ensure their efforts are intentional and meaningful.

3. Break It Down Into Manageable Steps

Complex tasks become easier when broken into smaller pieces. Instead of tackling the entire Preamble at once, a student can focus on memorizing one phrase at a time before moving on to the next. This method prevents overwhelm and ensures steady progress.

4. Stay Focused While Practicing

Mindless repetition won’t lead to mastery—engaged learning will. A musician learning a new song, for example, must pay close attention to finger placement and tempo rather than simply playing through it without thought. Being fully present in each practice session makes learning more effective.

5. Build on What You Know

Once students are comfortable with individual elements, they should begin combining them progressively. A basketball player, for example, may first practice free throws and layups separately before integrating both skills into a full-court game. This layering approach ensures small successes build into broader mastery.

6. Try Different Approaches

Repeating the same practice method can limit improvement. A basketball player benefits from shooting from various positions rather than standing in the same spot, just as a reader strengthens decoding skills by engaging with text in different formats. Playing Go Fish with SuperDeckTM card games effectively demonstrates this principle—each game unfolds differently, requiring fresh strategies even when using the same deck.

7. Take Your Time

Accuracy should come before speed. A student learning to type focuses on hitting the correct keys before worrying about typing fast. As their accuracy improves, speed follows naturally without compromising precision.

8. Be Patient With Yourself

Learning takes time. Many students get frustrated when they don’t see immediate results, but struggle is part of the process. A foreign language learner might stumble with pronunciation at first, but consistent practice—without self-judgment—gradually leads to fluency.

The Long-Term Benefits of Purposeful Practice

I’ve seen the transformational power of these strategies. By following the science of practice, students hold more information in their long-term memory without the stress of ineffective repetition. What’s more, they actually start to enjoy the learning process, building confidence with every step.

Whether struggling with reading, mastering a musical instrument, or improving athletic skills, purposeful practice leads to meaningful growth. And the best part?

No one needs all eight approaches—just the ones that work best for them.