When you’re teaching someone a new concept, especially something complex, it’s easy to forget what it felt like not to understand it yourself. What makes sense in your head might feel confusing or overwhelming to your student. I’ve found that this is where analogies and breaking ideas into smaller steps really matter. They help bridge the gap between what a student already knows and what they’re trying to learn.

Analogies work because they connect new information to familiar experiences. If I compare electric current to water flowing through pipes, for example, students can picture something they’ve already seen. Instead of just memorising abstract definitions, they can actually visualise how the system works. That makes the concept feel less intimidating and more logical. I don’t use analogies to replace the real explanation, but to give students a starting point. Once they feel comfortable, we can build on that foundation and add the more precise details.

Breaking concepts into smaller steps is just as important. A lot of processes—whether in maths, science, or essay writing—can seem complicated when they’re presented all at once. When I split them into clear, manageable parts, it reduces that sense of overload. Students can focus on understanding one piece at a time instead of trying to process everything simultaneously. For example, when we’re solving an equation, I make sure to explain why we’re doing each step rather than just rushing through the full solution. That way, they can see the reasoning instead of just copying what I write.

I’ve noticed that this approach also builds confidence. When students understand each stage of a process, they’re much more willing to try similar problems on their own. They’re not just memorising procedures; they’re actually understanding how and why something works. That deeper understanding makes it easier for them to apply the concept in different situations.

Overall, I think using analogies and breaking down ideas into smaller steps makes learning feel more approachable. It shows students that complex topics aren’t impossible—they’re just made up of simpler parts that we can tackle one at a time.

Alexis Papas