As many as 85 percent of all children might hesitate when speaking at one time or another. Most stuttering problems begin between the ages of two and seven. This crucial period is when a child learns how to use language. That means that the earlier you help your child speak, the less likely she is to develop a stuttering problem. If stuttering has already started, help your child by using a few helpful techniques early in life, rather than letting the problem develop. In many cases, children move out of a stuttering phase after a few months.
Step 1
Speak to your baby before she has even said her first word. Speak back to any cooing as though your baby was talking to you. This helps develop language skills early and may help prevent stuttering further down the line.
Step 2
Read out lout to your children every single night. This helps them understand language faster and helps them hear how words are formed and how they sound.
Step 3
Look your child in the eye and be patient when he starts to stutter. Avoid the temptation to finish the word or sentence for him. Showing interest in what your child says and not focusing on the stutter may help prevent frustration or self-consciousness.
Step 4
Use small, simple words and speak clearly and slowly. This helps your child keep up with a discussion and makes him more relaxed when speaking.
Step 5
Encourage your child with positive statements and offer praise for a job well done. When she struggles with a word, show her you understand that talking can be difficult and that we all get tongue-tied at times.
Step 6
Cut stress and pressure out of your child's life when at home. For example, give him ample time to get dressed for going out, enough time to eat together, and create a peaceful atmosphere whenever possible. Hectic or stressful environments might bring on more stuttering.
Step 7
Avoid pushing your child into a pressurized situation, such as reciting a nursery rhyme in front of a room full of people. This adds to their anxiety over speaking.
Step 8
Use any words that cause your child to stutter in your own responses. For example, if your child stammers on the word "c-c-car" wait until she has pronounced the word, then slowly say things like "yes, that is a red car" or "what type of car does Daddy drive?" This subtly allows your child to hear the correct pronunciation.
Tips and Warnings
- Save discussions about your child's fluency with your partner for times when your child is not in the house. Accidentally overhearing a talk about her speech difficulties could make the problem worse.
- Never shout at your child when she stutters and do not ask her to "spit it out." This only reinforces anxiety and does nothing to solve the root cause.
References
- British Stammering Association: Stammering in Preschool Children - How Parents Can Help
- University of Michigan Health System; Speech and Language Delay and Disorder; Kyla Boyse, R.N.; June 2008
- Stuttering Specialist; How Parents Can Help a Child Who Stutters; Tim Mackesey, CCC-SLP
- Minnesota State University; The Child Who Stutters -- Parent's Guide; Julie Mazzuca-Peter,
