Case
Parent reported student as "shy", what to do?

Tutoring a child after school tomorrow and his mother reports that he is often afraid to ask for help in the classroom. She said she has tried encouraging him to ask for help but has been unsuccessful. Does anyone have any good strategies to use so that he may be more comfortable in his classes to ask for help?

Posted on: 09/19/12 | Views: 6034
Solution #1
Top Solution
If I was the teacher, I would maybe have times during class where students could "ask a friend" for help. That way if a student felt more comfortable asking a friend, rather than asking me, that student could do so.

This is a great idea, I would do this with my class.

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Solution #2
Top Solution
If the student does not want to ask for help, I would then have him write down what he does not understand and/or has questions about. Maybe then this strategy can be used for all the students. The students can write down three things that they liked, had questions about, did not understand, etc. This is another way for the teacher to get feedback from her class and not singling anyone out.

This could be used for a ticket out the door activity. In using it this way, all students would be doing it, and no one would feel singled out. Also, it could be helpful during dismissal time.

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Solution #3
First the social anxiety should be removed from the environment. To do so, the teacher should interact with child as much as possible so that the child can start feeling comfortable around the teacher. The other aspect of the problem could be that the child is especially shy when he needs to ask for help. The teacher may want to establish a system where student does not have to verbally indicate he needs help. The teacher, for example, can have students write notes to the teacher at the end of each day. This could give the shy student a different way to express himself when needs help. Depending on the outcome, other strategies can be applied.

I like that you suggest that students write notes. I have my students write journal entries to let me know when they are struggling. I can use these to help me plan instruction.

I really like this idea because a lot of kids are shy to ask questions in front of their friends.

I like your idea of writing notes, more or so the non verbal communication. If this student is being tutored by you, then having that note can lead you to where you should focus on.

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Solution #4
If the student is to shy to ask a question in class the teacher could suggest the student write the question down for the teacher to answer privately. It is important that all students questions be answered.

I do agree that all students need to have their questions answered but I believe they need to verbalize their question. As a teacher I would walk over to the students desk and have the student verbalize their question. I would provide the student with a color card for their desk. Green if they are working and red if they are stuck and need help.

I like having the cue cards available for when the student feels stuck. This might be a good ice breaker for the student until they become more comfortable.

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Solution #5
Since you are the tutor and not the teacher of the class, it's tough to make arrangements for the student while he is at school. Helping the student feel comfortable during the tutoring sessions will go a long way in assisting the student overcome his shyness. A method that I would use is to get the student used to asking questions is by playing a game, such as 20 questions. After a few sessions, gradually gear the game towards the subject material by asking the student a question then have the student ask one and so forth.
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Solution #6
As a teacher, it is important to build relationships with your students. Find out what the student's interest are and try to build on that. When the student sees that you care, he or she may be more willing to open up to you. I would also give the student a card that has two colors on it. Green on one side to stand for I understand and am working, and red on the other side to represent that I need help. Maybe the student can use these.

I agree with this solution. I was a shy student because of fear of getting laughed at if I asked a question. This would allow the student to be comfortable by having the teacher come to them.

Great solution.

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Solution #7
allow the student to sit next to something he feels comfortable talking to. This may help him open up more to that student and ask for help. After they get comfortable with a classmate, then maybe they will begin to ask you questions.

I like this idea, but it can also cause unnecessary talk while trying to teach the class.

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Solution #8
If the student has trouble asking for help during class, then it might be more helpful to allow them to ask questions after class. The first step to encouraging students to ask questions is creating a comfortable and accepting atmosphere within the class.
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Solution #9
As a young student I was really shy and often I was afraid to ask for help. Looking back I seemed to do the best in classes where I was comfortable talking to teacher. I believe the message above about talking to the student about yourself and them is a great to create a connection with the student. I feel this will allow the student to open up and not be so afraid to ask for help when they need it.
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Solution #10
It is important to have an open line of communication with students. You could set up a communication student that could be written or hand signals. These are two ways in which the student will not have to speak, but you as the teacher can acknowledge that the child is not understanding something. Hand signals are a great gesture to use for all kids, even if they are ESE or ESOL.
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Solution #11
I think it's important to get to know the student and let them get to know you so that they feel comfortable. If the student is afraid to ask for help in the classroom, it may be because they don't know the teacher that well or they think the teacher might get mad if they don't understand it the first time. I would tell the student to stop me at any time if they don't understand it, and I would also stop frequently in between my lessons to ask the student if they understand or if they have any questions. You could also communicate this issue to the child's teacher, who may need to stop and check for comprehension more often in the classroom. The teacher could also develop a signal for the student to use if they need help but do not want to ask out loud in front of the class.
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Solution #12
If you are the teacher, create a LRE in the classroom. If you know this information about the student, visit his desk frequently throughout lessons while you are progress monitoring throughout the lesson. Conference with student every chance you get!
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Solution #13
I would suggest using a pair-share method to help ease the pressure off the student. This way they can still ask questions, but do not necessarily have to do so in front of the whole class.
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Solution #14
It sounds like the teacher needs to develop a better bond with the student. The student will feel more comfortable asking questions if they feel like they can trust the teacher.
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Solution #15
I would practice having the child ask me questions while being tutored. If they are still having trouble asking in class, have the student write the question down and place it in a specific spot where the teacher can get to it.
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Solution #16
If I were her teacher I would get to know her and see what she likes. By making her feel welcomed and included in the class she will open up a little.
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Solution #17
The student could write down a question and the teacher can answer it privately. I also think it is important for the teacher to try to form a relationship with the student. Even more shy students still want to be and feel loved. Getting to know their interests could help to build that relationship and the student could start to open up.
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Solution #18
As a tutor, you are not personally in the class but you could still help the student. Possibly by talking to them and building a relationship with them in order to make them feel more comfortable. But also showing them that they can build relationships with others they just have to be themselves and form a connection.
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Solution #19
You should get to know the child. Once you do you will see when they are struggling and then you can begin to prompt questions until they speak up. Children are often very obvious when they are confused so once you see this you can take the next step.
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