How a Stuttering Child Can Handle Teasing

            Yes, the teasing will hurt your child but you should sit down and talk about the issue of teasing and why people tease others. Invariably a child who stutters thinks he is the only one in the world getting teased. Parents need to have an honest talk with the child and can even tell them of instances when they were teased as children. In case you were not teased, you can talk about other people who were teased and not necessarily for stuttering. It could be for being too short, too fat or too skinny.

            The other issue about teasing that you need to make your child understand is why children tease. A child who teases basically enjoys hurting other children. The same is also true for adults. Therefore, if the teased person cries or shows that he or she is visibly upset, the teaser will continue teasing. In addition, most teasers are insecure and they tease because they get picked on at home either by their parents or siblings. A teaser usually teases because he has low self-esteem. However, sometimes children can tease or make fun of other children because of their ignorance. This usually happens when a child is perceived as being different. The parent can ask the teacher to explain about what stuttering is and this can help stop those children who tease out of sheer lack of knowledge. Parents too can talk directly to the teasers explaining the situation to them.

            Parents can resort to role playing to help a child learn how to cope with teasing. Act out situations that may occur and this will help your child counter the teaser.

            Basically, a stuttering child needs to stand up and take action against the teasing; but violence and fighting is not the answer.