The Skillful Teacher

The Normal Rhythm of Learning
Some instances of resistance to learning are simply examples of the
incremental fluctuation rhythm of learning identified in Chapter
Five in which the two steps forward, one step back pattern entails
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regular moments of temporary collapse (when Wile E. Coyote
crashes to the floor of the canyon). As students learn something
new, they find that their initial enthusiastic embrace of new skills,
ideas, or practices is followed by a disturbing period of confusion 
as they realize just how complex and unfamiliar is the new territory
they are entering. This realization is followed by a yearning to
return to the comfortable certainties of old skill sets and attitudes.
Not surprisingly, when students are in this state of yearning, they
resist any attempt by the teacher to move them forward. Although
this stage is temporary, it is experienced as permanent until some
external prompt or support reignites their movement forward.