Helping young children who stammer

• Wait

  Give your child time to finish what they’re trying to say. Don’t be tempted to finish their sentences for them or guess what they are trying to tell you. 

• Don't say "slow down"

  Avoid telling your child to slow down, start again, stop and think or take a deep breath. This can cause frustration and isn’t helpful in the long-term. You can get the same message across in other ways.

• Speak more slowly

  Slow down your own speech when you talk to your child. It will make it easier for them to follow what you are saying and help them feel less rushed.  

• Pause

  Pause before answering your child or asking a question. This less hurried way of speaking gives your child time before answering. 

• Don't ignore it

  If your child shows signs of being upset or bothered by their stammer, don’t be afraid to acknowledge it. Respond in the same way you would to anything else they’re finding hard. Let them know it’s okay and encourage them to keep going.   

• Turn-taking

  Talk about turn-taking at home so that everyone has time to speak without being interrupted.  

• Show interest

  Focus on what your child is saying and not whether they stammer. Show them you’re interested in what they’ve got to say, rather than how they’re saying it. 

• Keep it simple

  Use the same sort of sentences and words as your child - keep them short and simple. 

• Eye contact

  Keep natural eye-contact when your child is speaking. Don’t look away when they stammer. 

• Use comments not questions

  Use more comments rather than questions in conversation so your child doesn’t feel under pressure to give the right answer. For example, say “I’ve had a busy day today… I wonder what you’ve been doing?” rather than directly asking them what they did at nursery.

• Give praise

  Praise your child’s communication skills to help build their confidence. Try comments like “You explained that really clearly” or “Grandma loved hearing all your news today”. It’s also helpful to give praise for other things your child does, such as being kind or helpful.  

• One to one time

  Spend some one to one time with your child when they have your full attention and don’t have to compete for their turn to speak. Follow their lead and respond to what they’re doing or saying. 

• Talking about stammering

  Think about the language you use to talk about stammering. Try to avoid using words like good, bad, better or worse (for example “His stammer’s been really bad this week”) as this implies that stammering is bad and fluent speech is good. Instead, try to use words such as “more” or “less”.