What can help individuals maintain newly learned skills over time?

Periodic re-teaching of the skills is essential in helping individuals maintain newly learned skills over time. This approach reinforces the knowledge and practice already acquired, which is crucial for retention and integration into daily life. By revisiting skills, individuals are more likely to experience reminders of what they have learned, which can lead to improved confidence and competence in using those skills.

Repeated exposure to the skills helps combat the natural decline of memory retention over time, commonly referred to as the forgetting curve. This method also allows individuals to address any challenges they might face while applying the skills in real-life scenarios, thus reinforcing their application.

In contrast, limiting discussions about the skills can lead to a lack of reinforcement and understanding, which may hinder the ability to retain them. Constantly changing the skills being taught can create confusion and overwhelm, making it hard for individuals to become proficient in any specific area. Focusing solely on new skills neglects the importance of continuous practice and reinforcement of previously learned skills, which is necessary for mastery.