After observing that students are struggling to proceed further on an ongoing activity, a teacher decides to provide cues and hints in form of what, why, how. According to Lev Vygotsky's theory, this strategy of teacher will

Vygotsky's concept of scaffolding refers to the temporary support provided by a more knowledgeable other (teacher, peer, or parent) to help learners progress through their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). When the teacher provides cues and hints in the form of questions like what, why, and how, she is offering structured assistance that enables students to accomplish tasks they couldn't do independently. This support is gradually withdrawn as students gain competence. Scaffolding promotes learning by bridging the gap between current ability and potential development.