| � If you suspect that a child stutters, check with a trained speech-language pathologist. They may want to evaluate the child personally. � Speak to the child�s parents to gain further insight into the child�s stuttering and determine a cooperative approach. � Be open with the child about his speech, while realizing that stutterers find it difficult to acknowledge their speech as a handicap. � Keep the child talking so that he experiences positive speaking situations. � Don�t supply words for the child or teach tricks like: deep breaths, word substitution, finger snapping, etc. � Praise the child for participating verbally in classroom activity. Praise what they say, not how they say it. � Maintain normal eye contact with the child and project a relaxed body-language. � Model slow, relaxed speech when talking to the younger child. |
| � Be careful not to impose a sense of �time-pressure� on the child�s speaking situations. � Gently discourage other children from making fun of the child�s stuttering. � Talk openly with the child about stuttering if he wishes, but do not make a big deal out of it. � After a disfluent utterance, repeat back the content of what the child said. This will ensure understanding and reduce the child�s negative memory of the disfluency. � Use a flexible roll-call. Allow children to use a range of answers rather than being forced to attempt a response they find difficult. � Use a random method to call on students to speak in class. The apprehension of waiting his turn to speak severely increases the stutterer�s tension. � Know that the child will experience greater disfluency at times, especially when tired or under stress. � Involve the child in all the classroom activities. Avoidance only reinforces negative speech habits and isolates the child. |
| About four percent of preschool children stutter, dropping to one percent of the adult population. There are four times as many males who stutter as there are females who stutter. Early intervention by a trained speech-language pathologist offers the best chance for the child to overcome his disability. Nothing can ever take the place of understanding, love, and patience when dealing with a child � any child |
| HOW THE TEACHER CAN HELP THE STUTTERING CHILD |
| SPEAK EASY Inc. - Canada's Organization For People Who Stutter - presents: |
 |