Chuck Norstadt became more certain of Mr. McCloud's identity by spending time with the man and sharing experiences with him. Two scenes in particular prove this point. The first one is the scene in which Chuck and McCloud are acting out the play and, upon being told to go home, Chuck says he wants to stay and finish the play. The second one is the scene in which Chuck finds out the truth about his father and runs to McCloud's house to cry in his arms. 

The first scene, mentioned above, shows how shared experiences strengthen Chuck's sureness of McCloud's identity because it is the first time that Chuck not only shows a fondness for learning, but also a fondness of McCloud. Prior to that moment, Chuck had only really been coming to see McCloud so that he could learn enough to pass the entrance exam, it seemed. Also, most of their interaction had been in the form of teacher-to-pupil discourse. The first time that barrier falls and they share an experience in which they are nearer to equals, Chuck begins to seem more comfortable with his teacher, and wants to return from that point on. I do not mean to suggest that this one moment was the only factor that caused Chuck to start liking Mr. McCloud, but rather that it was experiences like these that did so.

Another such moment was the second scene mentioned; this one is an experience of greater magnitude and importance than the acting of the play because it is a personal and life-changing discovery for Chuck. First, Chuck's decision to turn to McCloud in this time of need speaks to how much Chuck had already overcome his fears and doubts and preconceived notions about his tutor. The aftermath of this experience is more important, however. The next morning, Chuck attempts to resist the orders of the police officer that wants to take the boy home. Later that day, Chuck tells his mother that McCloud is his best friend. Clearly, that night has caused Chuck to grow closer and more sure of McCloud's identity.

However, the end of the movie throws a cog in the gears. Chuck learns from his mother that McCloud is supposed to have molested the boy that was killed in the car accident. This questions all of the things Chuck thought he learned about McCloud. Chuck is so disturbed that he steals the family car and drives to McCloud's house to ask him if he molested the boy. But, McCloud does not give Chuck the answer outright. He asks Chuck to think and to call upon all that Chack had learned about McCloud through their shared experiences, and to draw his own conclusion. Because of the plethora of those experiences they went through together, Chuck is sure that McCloud did not molest the boy. This is the ultimate evidence of the effect that their time together had on Chuck's confidence in McCloud's character, and one of the major themes of the movie.