I found it difficult when dealing with students shy. They tend to close themselves from their social groups. In the classroom, shy students seem more passive. They do not want to be the center of attention of other students.
I always give shy students the opportunity to answer the questions I ask. But unfortunately, they did not want to answer. Even with threats though! The threat I'm talking about here is about value, not in terms of verbal or physical threats.
Then, how is the strategy in dealing with shy students?
From the various references I read, there are some strategies in dealing with shy students. Let's see!
In this website mentioned there are four strategies in dealing with shy students, namely:
- Introductory activities to help student learn about one another (everyone gets a turn)
- Additional activities to help students learn a little bit more about their classmates (everyone gets a turn)
- Classroom arrangement is important to help students become more comfortable with their peers and to facilitate discussion
- General suggestions for the classroom teacher to create a safe and inclusive classroom environment
In another website I found, there are seven strategies in dealing with shy students, namely:
- Bring the shy students to the front
- Call on students even when they don’t have their hands raised
- Get your extraverts to help
- Always remember to involve them
- Take a minute to talk to them one on one
- Be patient
- Be vigilant
Between the two strategies above, I prefer the second strategy. If the second strategy is reinforced by what I found in this website, which also describes the easy way to deal with shy students, then I'm sure, shy students will slowly open themselves up. What are some easy ways to deal with shy students as mentioned in the website?
- Grow children's confidence
- Help the child see the advantages they have
- Train children to socialize
- Do not give shy labels to your child
- Give praise
The above strategies you can do in the face of shy students. However, the most important point is we have to be patient in facing them. As a teacher, that's one of the tasks we have to do, which is to encourage students to be more confident.