Purposeful Practice Opportunities: How Guided and Independent Practice Informs Number Sense Development

Abstract

Although practice is essential for academic development, questions remain regarding how much and what kinds of practice best support early learners. To examine the role of practice in developing mathematical proficiency, we analyzed rates of guided and independent practice opportunities provided in a kindergarten mathematics intervention for 880 students with mathematics difficulties (MD) across 255 groups. Results indicate that (a) students’ initial skills levels did not predict rates of practice opportunities provided, (b) rates of practice were not associated with student performance changes, (c) effects were not moderated by initial skills, and (d) no optimal ratio of guided to independent practice, or guided practice to academic feedback, emerged. Findings suggest that while providing deliberate, purposeful practice is crucial, effectiveness does not depend on fixed thresholds. Instead, teachers should scaffold practice opportunities based on student need, adjusting supported and independent practice within high-quality instruction. Implications for research and practice are discussed.