Great teachers have long understood the power of demonstration. Modelling is a crucial part of the learning process, whether it’s showing students how to solve a complex maths problem, structure an essay, or navigate social interactions. But why is explicit modelling so effective? The answer lies in neuroscience—specifically, in the role of mirror neurons.
What do Mirror Neurons do?
Mirror neurons are brain cells that function when doing something and watching someone else do the same action. First discovered in the 1990s in primates, these neurons have since been identified in humans and are considered fundamental to learning through observation.