How will you let a pupil/child talk inside the classroom? The child speaks at home but never in school?

Question

I wonder why a child never speaks in his school but when he gets into their house he speaks well. I don't know what is the rationale behind why the child refuse to talk in the school the fact that the child is also encouraged by his teacher to participate and get along well with his classmates. Could you please explain to me why this happening and what possible solutions that can be applied to overcome this problem.

Thank you. I'm looking forward to hear some answers from you. GOD BLESS!

Answer 1

Many children won't talk until spoken to. Talk to the child and encourage others to talk with him.

Answer 2

I'm the quiet type of individual, and I was like this at school. My teachers would tell my parents how quiet I was, and they would wonder if she was talking about the same child! For me, I don't always open up to people that I am not comfortable with yet. Once I get to know them better, I open up more and talk. For a child, maybe he is trying to trust you or get more comfortable with you. Give him time! :-)

Answer 3

let her feel comforable in school children are sometimes scared of other people

Answer 4

Some great suggestions made already. Like so many others have already said, give the child time to adjust, avoid emphasising the child's lack of speech in the classroom and praise him/her when he/she does speak (e.g. "Nice words, ...." or "Lovely speaking voice"). Recently, I've had a girl in grade two who didn't speak and these strategies worked with her quite well.

Imagine walking into a room full of people you don't know but who obviously know each other. That can be very daunting. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable at first!

Hope all will work out in the end. (I'm sure it will!)

Answer 5

It's early in the year - and if you are talking about a preschool child then it's possible that this child is just not ready to talk in school yet.  But I bet you will hear her/him talk when you aren't listening!  Sometimes a child just isn't comfortable yet in this new environment.  

Treat the child as you would any other child who talks.  Talk to her/him but don't ask questions yet.  Give them time to adjust to the fact that you aren't going to jump all over them for an answer. If you are alone with this child, maybe away from other children in the playground, you might attempt to ask the child a question to see if they will answer.  

I had a preschooler once who didn't talk for two months until she had to go to the bathroom on a field trip!  Boy did she talk!!  So you never know...

Answer 6

Sometimes, children seem very quiet at school because they feel overwhelmed, shy of other children, apprehensive to reach out to adults, or is just adjusting to a new experience or environment.

Here is what u can do:

1. Ask the parents for a little background. What are the favorite things the chuild does at home? Fave toys, books, movies, characters...etc. These are clues in winning his/ her attention and u myt be able to draw that natural personality out through using these faves in the classroom in storytelling, designing seating arrangements or in stamps or stickers.

2. Plan more open-ended activities. Painting, puupet-play, block play, sensorial activities, music and movement and dramatic play. The child might feel encouraged to talk if she feels comfortable with the less-restrictive activities she does.



3. Always assure her that teacher is here if she wants to say something. When you do individualized activities, make sure you mention her name very warmly and talk to her in a very soothing voice and welcoming manner. Ask her simple questions- start with yes or no questions and end with why questions to elaborate more.

4. Plan a show and tell at the end of the week so the child will also see other children speak in front of the class. This might give her a boost of confidence to share.

5. Acknowledge her efforts positively. If you hear her voice, praise her for speaking her mind. If she doesn't then wait until she is ready.

Answer 7

Maybe hes just very shy.

Maybe talk to the teacher and have them play games or talking activites in class.

Or maybe have him tell the class his favorite Story or talk about each one of their favorite things to do.

Answer 8

When my daughter was in preschool  she wouldn't talk to any new teachers.  Early on they would ask me if she talked at all.  The more they focused on trying to get her to speak the more she shut them out.  She just needed (still does) more time to adjust to new situations and for people to be more casual around her--play and include her, but don't put her in the spotlight.  For example, at 2 during circle time one teacher would focus on my daughter saying her name.  When she wouldn't the teacher would spend time trying to "encourage" her to do it, while other kids stared at her.  The result was that she stopped saying her name altogether.  Sometimes too much of such encouragement has the opposite effect.

My daughter is now 11 and already had to be moved in math class for excessive chatting.

Answer 9

The child might be so used to life at home that when he goes to school, its a whole new thing for him.

Its not a problem, he's just like that.

Maybe once he begins to make friends, he'll start to talk more.

But it all takes time.