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Help your child deal with stammering

By Ijeoma Thomas-Odia
22 April 2023   |   3:25 am
A lot of children experience some form of non-fluency in their speech. While most of the time this is typical, your child may be excited or tired, and like with everyone, he/she may begin to stammer.

A lot of children experience some form of non-fluency in their speech. While most of the time this is typical, your child may be excited or tired, and like with everyone, he/she may begin to stammer.

  
Some children may begin to experience persistent initial sound or whole word repetition, blocking sounds completely or prolonging them through their speech. They could also begin to flinch or scrunch up their eyes when stammering. When this occurs it is likely that your child will need speech and language therapy.
  
Speech therapy can provide direct intervention that targets the management and potentially help your child overcome his/her stammer. To help your child reduce non-fluency in the home or school environment, slow down and pause where necessary when talking to him/her. Make sure you slow down your pace and pause frequently. This can have several benefits – your child will be able to fully process what you say; he/she will be given time to think after pauses and he/she can model your slow speech, encouraging him/her to slow down.
  
Rather than saying ‘slow down’ which can be perceived as criticism, just slow down your own pace so he/she can learn from example. You should also stop asking so many questions. As inquisitive parents and teachers, we all do it as questions often make up the majority of our conversations. It is often more beneficial for a child’s speech when he/she is able to freely express his/her own ideas rather than answering lots of questions. Learn to comment on what the child has said rather than question it. This will give your child an indication that you have heard him/her.
  
More importantly, non-verbal communication is key. Take time out of the busy home or classroom life to use your facial expressions and body language to show the child that you are listening to what he/she is saying rather than the way he/she is saying it.
  
Ensure you give your child undivided attention. This doesn’t have to be all day. But just a few minutes at the same time everyday where you can focus on your child can create a quiet and calm time that allows him/her to feel like he/she has an opportunity to communicate freely with you.
  
It can create a good relationship between you and your child and will build confidence for when he/she has to talk to you in the future about his/her feelings and experiences. This can be hard for parents with lots of children but make time for each of your children. I’m sure you will feel the benefits.
 
Take turns and listen. This is particularly important for big families and for a child with lots of siblings who talk over each other and don’t give each other a chance to speak or be heard. Children with a stammer will find it easier to speak to the family when no one else is talking and they have your attention.
  
As parents, you may notice at times that there could be ways of modifying the way you interact to help your child that stammers. To help, you can try your best to decrease criticisms, slow down speech, don’t interrupt and reduce questions. Finally, coming to terms and showing support to your child tells how much you care and cherish him/her even though he/she stammers.

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