Case Study : The Child Who Was Too Shy to Speak in Class
Helping a Quiet Child Find His Voice
Background:
Sam (not his real name) was a student who barely spoke in class. During group work, he would nod or shake his head instead of answering. When asked a question, he would look down or whisper so quietly that even I struggled to hear him. He was clearly a bright child, but his shyness meant he rarely shared his thoughts.
The Challenge:
Sam’s reluctance to speak was affecting his learning and confidence. He had great ideas in his writing, but he wouldn’t verbalise them. He even avoided putting his hand up, even when he knew the answer. His parents worried that his silence would hold him back academically and socially.
The Approach:
Building Trust - I spent one-on-one time with Sam, talking about his interests outside of learning. I discovered he loved cars, so we started conversations about them to make him feel at ease.
Non-Verbal Participation - Before asking him to speak, I encouraged other ways to engage - using whiteboards, pointing, or giving thumbs up/down responses.
Small Steps to Speaking - I began by asking him yes/no questions, then gradually encouraged him to say a word or two. We played simple word association games where he had to say just one word at a time.
Paired Discussions Before Whole-Class Answers - Instead of calling on him in front of everyone, I paired him with a classmate first. He found it easier to share in a smaller setting, then built up to answering in a group.
Praise & Encouragement - Whenever he spoke, no matter how briefly, I praised his effort: “That was a fantastic answer, Sam! I love hearing your ideas.” This positive reinforcement made him feel safe.
Reading Aloud in a Low-Stress Setting - I encouraged him to read aloud to me first before he tried in a group. Eventually, he volunteered to read a line from a book in class-a huge step for him!
The Transformation:
By the end of the term, Sam was raising his hand for questions he felt confident about. He still wasn’t the loudest in class, but he no longer avoided speaking altogether. The biggest moment was when he confidently answered a question during a class discussion and another child said, “That’s a good idea, Sam!” - his smile said it all.
Shy children need gentle encouragement and a safe space to build their confidence. Giving them small speaking opportunities, celebrating their efforts and allowing them to progress at their own pace can help them find their voice.
If your child is quiet or struggles to speak up in class, you’re not alone. With the right support, every child can grow in confidence and feel proud to share their ideas. At Joseph Tutors, I specialise in helping children feel seen, heard, and valued.
Get in touch today to find out how I can support your child’s journey from shy to self-assured. Let’s help them find their voice - one small step at a time.
