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From: Lynne Shields
Date: 16 Oct 2010
Time: 17:19:55 -0500
Remote Name: 76.215.118.209
Miruka, You asked "How does stuttering affect classroom learning in lower primary children?" I don't think that stuttering itself has a direct impact on a child's ability to learn. Where I do believe that stuttering can have an impact is on how the child interacts within the classroom, with the teacher and with peers. If a child feels comfortable about themselves and their stuttering, then they are likely to speak in class, take part in activities with peers, and generally do just as well as if he or she did not stutter. However, if the child worries about stuttering and elects not to participate in school activities, then this can have a negative educational impact on the child. Working with your child to help them feel O.K. about himself, despite the stuttering, is so important. He needs to know what stuttering is (be educated about it), and understand that he can communicate effectively and without shame, whether or not he stutters when speaking. In addition, educating the teachers and other students about stuttering can also have a positive impact for the child. There is so much great information on this conference, as well as in the archives of previous conferences. You might check through those to gain some ideas, and your son might enjoy doing that, as well. There is quite a bit of good information about stuttering that can be accessed from The Stuttering Homepage, the website where all of us are accessing this conference. I wish you and your all the best, Lynne