Showing posts with label School teachers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School teachers. Show all posts
Stuttering in the Classroom
Click on the title of this post to read about how one educator handled having a student who stutters in her classroom. This should not happen to anyone with a speech impediment! Teachers should be educated on how to help rather than hinder students. It is so sad to read that there are still some people who don't know even after all these years of The Stuttering Foundation trying to get the word out about how to talk with someone who stutters and how to help them. Malcolm is turning over in his grave for sure. If I were young and able, I would gather at least 30 people who stutter and have the college allow us to be enrolled in Snyder's class just to show her that people who stutter are just as good as any other student. Having a room full of students who stutter would either drive her crazy and make her leave the teaching profession or make her enjoy the company of people who stutter.
Teachers and stuttering
It is just maddening to think that anybody has to go through life with their teachers being the ones who bully them!! The universities that train teachers and give them their credentials to teach thousands of youth during their career should not only be able to spell (how many teachers I have met who couldn't!), know their subject extremely well, teach their subject, handle problem students gracefully, encourage students to want to learn, and know how to handle bullying in and outside the classroom. Therefore, the teacher should never be the instigator of showing any disrespect for one who stutters!!! Here is only one post I read online telling of poor treatment in the classroom:
"I had a terrible time in school but not from my class mates. It was from the
teachers who never had the time to be patient with me, and understand my
problem;they accused me of being stupid because I couldn't read out loud."
All teachers should be required to learn how to converse with a student who stutters. A class showing the Stuttering Foundation of America's video for teachers with the teachers in training getting the brochure "Tips for Teachers" should be required. They should also have to demonstrate that they can use this knowledge by having a one on one conversation with someone who stutters.
As a former educator who had family members who stuttered, I was able to give counsel to many teachers about students who stuttered. I don't remember the Foundation having any information like a brochure that could be handed to them back then, but just knowing not to finish sentences or supply words and to just patiently wait for the stutterer to speak and to let them know "it is okay to stutter in my classroom" makes speaking get easier and easier. There were students who stuttered that didn't stutter as much in my classroom as in others because as soon as I noticed they stuttered, I cheerfully said "stuttering is allowed in here" and they stood taller, held their head up, and didn't feel like a burden for taking so long to speak. It also taught the others in the class that this person really has something to say. I demanded respect and showed respect. All other educators should learn to do the same. That goes for students with other speech difficulties, learning disabilities, and physical disabilites, too!
"I had a terrible time in school but not from my class mates. It was from the
teachers who never had the time to be patient with me, and understand my
problem;they accused me of being stupid because I couldn't read out loud."
All teachers should be required to learn how to converse with a student who stutters. A class showing the Stuttering Foundation of America's video for teachers with the teachers in training getting the brochure "Tips for Teachers" should be required. They should also have to demonstrate that they can use this knowledge by having a one on one conversation with someone who stutters.
As a former educator who had family members who stuttered, I was able to give counsel to many teachers about students who stuttered. I don't remember the Foundation having any information like a brochure that could be handed to them back then, but just knowing not to finish sentences or supply words and to just patiently wait for the stutterer to speak and to let them know "it is okay to stutter in my classroom" makes speaking get easier and easier. There were students who stuttered that didn't stutter as much in my classroom as in others because as soon as I noticed they stuttered, I cheerfully said "stuttering is allowed in here" and they stood taller, held their head up, and didn't feel like a burden for taking so long to speak. It also taught the others in the class that this person really has something to say. I demanded respect and showed respect. All other educators should learn to do the same. That goes for students with other speech difficulties, learning disabilities, and physical disabilites, too!
Teachers can help those who stutter
Debbie Despirt did a great article, that you can read here http://teaching-strategies-mentorship.suite101.com/article.cfm/kid_stuttering, about how teachers can help students learn about stuttering, how they can intervene with teasing that kids almost always do when one of their peers stutters, and how they should treat the student who stutters. Teachers are not trained in how to handle students with speech disfluencies; some do the research on their own, but others are worse than kids and still have outdated notions on what to do. Some think that punishment of some kind will correct "the behavior." Since I was an educator, I was able to inform the teachers I came in contact with over the years, but that is "only a drop in the bucket." If a teacher doesn't have compassion for others by the time he/she starts teaching, someone needs to teach him/her how to treat others whether they have a discipline problem, a speech problem, or a physical problem.
Class Presentation on Stuttering
I have read of students doing a class presentation in order to teach their classmates and their teacher what stuttering is like and how it affects them. This page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121 has tips for doing such a presentation plus a suggested outline to follow. There is a link at the bottom that takes you to a kit made specially for this purpose with enough brochures about stuttering for an entire class. There are also brochures on this page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=131 that you can download. I would recommend the "Tips for Teachers" and "Tips for Speaking with Someone who Stutters" brochures. Teaching teachers and classmates about stuttering and how to help is a good place to start changing the way all stutterers are treated.
Stuttering in school
Many students who stutter, no matter what age, do not participate in class and dread speaking assignments because they are "afraid of stuttering." Some students have found that they do better if the teacher allows them to do a presentation about stuttering. That helps the rest of the class understand what a stutterer goes through. Teachers can help with these tips from the Stuttering Foundation of America:
"8 tips for teachers
1. Don’t tell the child “slow down” or “ just relax.”
2. Don’t complete words for the child or talk for him or her.
3. Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening. All children — and especially those who stutter — find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listener’s attention.
4. Expect the same quality and quantity of work from the student who stutters as the one who doesn’t.
5. Speak with the student in an unhurried way, pausing frequently.
6. Convey that you are listening to the content of the message, not how it is said.
7. Have a one-on-one conversation with the student who stutters about needed accommodations in the classroom. Respect the student’s needs, but do not be enabling.
8. Don’t make stuttering something to be ashamed of. Talk about stuttering just like any other matter.
Compiled by Lisa Scott, Ph.D., The Florida State University"
"8 tips for teachers
1. Don’t tell the child “slow down” or “ just relax.”
2. Don’t complete words for the child or talk for him or her.
3. Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening. All children — and especially those who stutter — find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listener’s attention.
4. Expect the same quality and quantity of work from the student who stutters as the one who doesn’t.
5. Speak with the student in an unhurried way, pausing frequently.
6. Convey that you are listening to the content of the message, not how it is said.
7. Have a one-on-one conversation with the student who stutters about needed accommodations in the classroom. Respect the student’s needs, but do not be enabling.
8. Don’t make stuttering something to be ashamed of. Talk about stuttering just like any other matter.
Compiled by Lisa Scott, Ph.D., The Florida State University"
Communication pressures
Communication pressures cause many trials and tribulations for those who stutter. Students should ask that they be allowed to recite first or close to the first as they are more likely to stutter if they must wait behind half the class for their turn. They should also let their teacher know that they have good days and worse days and that is why they participate in class one day and not the next.
Stutterers who are in the workforce should do the same thing with their employers and coworkers. It is better to tell them upfront that you stutter and that certain things help you or hinder you. You will be accepted better as part of the team if you talk with them about your speech and let them know how they can help you.
Stutterers who are in the workforce should do the same thing with their employers and coworkers. It is better to tell them upfront that you stutter and that certain things help you or hinder you. You will be accepted better as part of the team if you talk with them about your speech and let them know how they can help you.
Tips for doing a presentation if you stutter
Know your subject matter really well and practice reading to your dog or just out loud to yourself ahead of time.
Look over the heads of the class at a point on the wall in the back of the room. The class will think you are looking at them, and the teacher will think you are looking at your audience.
Don't notice any reaction from the class. Their reaction doesn't matter, but it might make you feel more nervous.
Concentrate on what you are saying rather than how you are saying it.
Don't try to keep from stuttering as that will make you stutter more. If you stutter, just let it happen.
Maintain a steady pace, not too fast, and don't get in a hurry to "get it over with."
Speak in a relaxed manner and pause every so often.
Start into words easily keeping your lips, tongue, and jaw relaxed.
Look over the heads of the class at a point on the wall in the back of the room. The class will think you are looking at them, and the teacher will think you are looking at your audience.
Don't notice any reaction from the class. Their reaction doesn't matter, but it might make you feel more nervous.
Concentrate on what you are saying rather than how you are saying it.
Don't try to keep from stuttering as that will make you stutter more. If you stutter, just let it happen.
Maintain a steady pace, not too fast, and don't get in a hurry to "get it over with."
Speak in a relaxed manner and pause every so often.
Start into words easily keeping your lips, tongue, and jaw relaxed.
Wonderful Teacher
I just had to share this note from a preschool teacher. Wouldn't it be great if all teachers taught like Tina? You know that she is patient, respectful, and polite and that is why her young charges are the same way with the one who stutters.
Here's the original note:
We're discussing diversity with our young group. Not only are we discussing the differences in skin color, nationalities, backgrounds,etc. I'm looking for books that feature children that have physical handicaps. For the young ones in wheelchairs, wear leg braces, uses a walker, etc., I have no books that include them.....:( If you have anybooks that you could recommend for the 3-7 age range, I would greatly appreciate it! Tina B
My reply:
If you would teach your class about people who stutter and how to react to them, you would be doing your class a favor as well as all of the people who stutter. Stuttering is something that embarasses and frustrates millions of people. It is a cause of many people to talk as little as possible and to socialize as little as possible because of the reactions that come from others.
Go to The Stuttering Foundation of America at http://www.stutteringhelp.org/. They have one book online that is written for children. It is called "Sometimes I Just Stutter." It can be found on this page: http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=209
I commend you for teaching your children about people who are different from them. I come from a family of people who stutter and know first-hand the sadness caused by being different. I also went to school with a boy who had to wear braces on his legs. I was the only one who would play with him as he couldn't run and keep up with all of us. I became good at tether-ball as I played that with him every day at recess while the other boys ran and played football, baseball, tag, etc.
Blessings,
Bud
Here's the teacher's response:
Thank you for your recommendation, Bud. I currently have a young one in our group who stutters. The kids have become so accustomed to it, that they don't bat an eye when he speaks. They're patient and respectful, allowing him all the time he needs to express himself. I will check the website and see what books they have.Tina B
Here's the original note:
We're discussing diversity with our young group. Not only are we discussing the differences in skin color, nationalities, backgrounds,etc. I'm looking for books that feature children that have physical handicaps. For the young ones in wheelchairs, wear leg braces, uses a walker, etc., I have no books that include them.....:( If you have anybooks that you could recommend for the 3-7 age range, I would greatly appreciate it! Tina B
My reply:
If you would teach your class about people who stutter and how to react to them, you would be doing your class a favor as well as all of the people who stutter. Stuttering is something that embarasses and frustrates millions of people. It is a cause of many people to talk as little as possible and to socialize as little as possible because of the reactions that come from others.
Go to The Stuttering Foundation of America at http://www.stutteringhelp.org/. They have one book online that is written for children. It is called "Sometimes I Just Stutter." It can be found on this page: http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=209
I commend you for teaching your children about people who are different from them. I come from a family of people who stutter and know first-hand the sadness caused by being different. I also went to school with a boy who had to wear braces on his legs. I was the only one who would play with him as he couldn't run and keep up with all of us. I became good at tether-ball as I played that with him every day at recess while the other boys ran and played football, baseball, tag, etc.
Blessings,
Bud
Here's the teacher's response:
Thank you for your recommendation, Bud. I currently have a young one in our group who stutters. The kids have become so accustomed to it, that they don't bat an eye when he speaks. They're patient and respectful, allowing him all the time he needs to express himself. I will check the website and see what books they have.Tina B
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