2018May21

Stuttering tips for teachers


Having a child that stutters in your class can create all sorts of challenges. You have to make sure that you create an accepting environment with no teasing by explaining to the kids that the child who stutters can’t help it and also finds it frustrating. Stuttering is definitely not a reflection of how clever someone is or not. If you know very little about stuttering you should educate yourself in the process as well. Watch this video by kids for kids about stuttering.

Read this article to find out if you are a great teacher.

Tips for teachers
The following tips for teachers who has a student that stutters, was compiled by Lisa Scott during her Ph.D study at The Florida State University:


  1. Don’t tell the student “slow down” or “just relax”. They might get more anxious about not getting it right.
  2. Don’t complete words or sentences for the student or talk for him or her. 
  3. Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening. All students, 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.


Click here for some stuttering tips for parents.

Marinda Botha

Educational Psychologist

I started teaching in 2004 while still studying. After completing my Education degree at the University of Johannesburg in 2006, I took a special interest in psychology. I went on to complete my Honours and Masters degree at the University of Pretoria and qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2009. I remained in the schooling system with my role changing from educator to school psychologist where I got the opportunity to address a lot of the issues I saw in the classroom on an individual basis. In addition, I also entered private practice and qualified as a BabyGym instructor in 2009. My focus was on developmental classes with moms and their babies, the prevention of learning difficulties, learning difficulties, emotional difficulties, career guidance, accommodations/concessions and school readiness. I especially enjoyed giving parents guidance as I felt that the parent’s role in the intervention process was crucial for success. The fact that parents often felt left in the dark with regards to their children’s therapy or the education system, sparked this interest on even further. Demystifying educational and developmental issues one parent at a time was very satisfying, doing it on a platform that could potentially reach millions of parents by writing about these topics is exhilarating.

Related Posts: