​

How can teachers help shy students.

Teachers can have a negative or positive effect on shy children. Educators who interpret shy behavior as willful or spiteful may punish the child for remaining silent when asked to sing or speak. Punishing shy behavior makes no more sense than punishing urination accidents. It is more likely to cause emotional harm to the child than to help the child develop.

Instructors who view helping children become more outgoing as a developmental project similar to helping the children learn to read or share toys may have quite a positive impact on shy children. Teachers can use strategies to help shy children to become more outgoing, for example seating them in pairs or small groups and leading them into an activity that requires interaction.

Give shy children plenty of time to respond to questions or to speak to the class. Don't rush to speak for them, for instance, during show-and-tell. Be patient, it may take them a while to overcome their nervousness and speak. If the child doesn't answer after several seconds, go on pleasantly to the next child or activity.

Show empathy and understanding that may happen when commenting in a caring way on a shy child's apparent emotions, such as nervousness or embarrassment, you can help the child learn to identify those emotions.

Show warmth. Play with all the children, compliment them, speak nicely to them, and show interest in them. All children like being treated warmly, but shy children may gain the greatest benefit from being "warmed" up.

All these techniques could be used to help the student overcome their shyness problems.