Principles of Skill Building

Principle 7: Skill building is messy and never occurs in a straight line.

Skill building is a continuous cycle of construction, collapse, and reconstruction.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Principle 6: Skill is not a single fixed ability.

Skill is an elastic range of complexity and ability.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Principle 5: It is impossible to build skill without motivation.

Without motivation, even the most capable expert will fail.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Principle 4: Emotion is the body's fuel for skill building.

To build skills, start with emotion.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Principle 3: Skills are built through action and interaction.

Kids develop skills from what they do—and particularly what they do with others.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Principle 2: Skills are built in specific contexts.

When we change the context, we change the skill.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Principle 1: Skills self-organize and increase in complexity over time.

Skills can be intentionally developed with positive social relationships, rich learning environments, and well-designed learning experiences.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

Seven principles of skill building

Research insights from Dynamic Skill Theory.

Jun 4, 2025 • Munro Richardson

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