Top Tips For Teachers Of Primary School Children

• Our new book is an invaluable source of information


• Some of the tips for the younger child are also right for this age group, too - talking sensitively to the parents, referring to a speech and language therapist or contacting the therapist if the child has one


• Talk to the child; if it is clear that they are aware of the problem, then it will be appropriate (with parents' permission) to take them to one side and talk to them about it. Find out whether there are things the child wants to do more of, but needs a bit of support, or whether there are things that are really worrying them - e.g. taking messages to another teacher or circle time


• Try to be flexible with oral tasks. Routines like answering the register can be a daily nightmare to the child who stammers - is there another way? Everyone putting their hands up instead? This is a good topic to discuss in your 1:1 session


• Paired reading can be really good practice and often results in the child reading more fluently too


• Anticipating a turn in reading aloud can be especialy difficult. There is time for real anxiety to build up when there is a fixed routine for this (for example row-by-row or in alphabetical order). Choosing at random or having an early turn can be helpful - again checking with the child is a good policy.


• Raise awareness amongst all staff (secretaries, assistants, dinner ladies, etc.)


• Don't advise the child to take a deep breath or to slow down. Itprobably won't help for more than a few moments


• Don't finish the child's words for them - it may increase anxiety and tension


• Reduce time pressures to speak quickly


• Deal with bullying and teasing immediately - these make stammering
  much worse


• Deal with unkind behaviour - e.g. mimicking or sniggering


• Praise them for the things that they do well