Dear Parents,
I was conducting a trial class when I met him. The 8-year old boy came late but he was quick to settle down. I got him to introduce himself but…he looked at me blankly. I thought I didn’t make myself clear so I repeated… again he was silent. He clearly understood the instruction but he just refused to speak.
At the back of my mind, I somehow knew that he could speak but there was fear in his eyes.
“Let’s not force him…let’s make him laugh instead!” I thought to myself.
Throughout the class, I was more than just a teacher, perhaps a clown dramatising and ensuring that the students enjoyed themselves and most importantly, I made him laugh throughout. But he still refused to speak.
Class ended and I met his dad. He mentioned that his boy was diagnosed with mutism. He is not mute but he is just selective with whom he speaks to. Honestly, I was a little sad that such a label even exists and pasted upon a child so young. If so, I must have suffered mutism too when I was young.
“Daddy, do you know that I was just like him when I was young.” The dad raised his eyebrow, curious.
“My friends and teachers back in Indonesia called me a “statue” for not speaking up in classes. I was not mute, I was just so shy and so afraid of speaking up. I even stuttered a lot, I still do sometimes.”
The dad could not believe his ears, perhaps it was ironic now that I was talking so much to him.
“Yes! My teachers even pinched me back then!”
At this point, the boy who stood beside heard my story and he looked up at me longingly as I saw a younger version of me in him. His logic was strong but he just needed more time to warm up.
I told the dad, “…what he needs is not another forceful request to speak or even a scolding. He just needed a teacher who understands and a safe environment with lots of love and patience. He listens in class and he does his work well. He will speak when he is comfortable and ready.”
Tears welled up in his dad’s eyes as I guided them out to the door. I am glad the dad gave us the opportunity to guide him in his coding journey till today.
I have learnt that each child is unique. They will take their own time to bloom in their own way. Who are we to force them otherwise?
With love,
Teacher Deddy
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