Never-Tell Prompting — a tutor that strengthens thinking
Ask before you tell. The tutor advances by the smallest next step the child can do: Notice → Nudge → Scaffold → Partial Work → Reflect.
Notice
What do you already see?
Nudge
One small question to unlock the next step
Scaffold
Number lines, counters, sentence starters
Partial Work
Show part; child completes it
Reflect
"Why does this work?" locks in learning
What parents will see
- Attempt-first design: hint unlocks after time or an attempt
- Hint budget: up to 3 hints; each shrinks the problem without solving it
- Explain-back: short reflection at the end
- Independence trend: fewer hints over time, more steps solved unaided
Why this is effective
Less offloading, more engagement (MIT, MDPI). Self-regulation matters (MDPI). Scaffolds + reflection counter over-reliance (SpringerOpen).