How to Support and Talk to Your Child Who Stutters
As parents, it can be stressful not knowing how to support your child who stutters. Stuttering is a complex speech issue influenced by various factors, including environmental, emotional, and communicative dynamics. By understanding these factors and creating a supportive environment, you can help your child feel more confident and reduce the pressures that may affect their fluency. Here are practical suggestions to guide you.
Understanding Factors That Impact Stuttering
Several elements can affect a child’s speech fluency:
- Environmental Factors: General demands at home, daycare, or school; pressure to perform academically; and a fast-paced lifestyle can all play a role.
- Communication Dynamics: Speaking rates, pauses, the language models the child receives, and reactions to stuttering can also influence fluency.
While these factors don’t necessarily cause stuttering or make it persistent, reducing these stressors can help create an environment that promotes smoother speech.
Tips for Talking to Your Child
1. Avoid Direct Instructions About Speech
- Avoid phrases like:
- “Slow down.”
- “Relax.”
- “Take a deep breath.”
- “Stop and say it again.”
- “Think about what you want to say.”
These instructions can unintentionally increase pressure and make your child more self-conscious about their speech.
2. Model Calm and Relaxed Speech
- Speak calmly, slowly, and naturally. Avoid sounding robotic, choppy, or monotone.
- Use brief pauses when speaking to slow the pace of the conversation and emphasize active listening.
- By modeling relaxed speech, you’re providing a supportive example for your child to follow.
3. Give Your Child Time to Respond
- Create a comfortable environment where your child feels they have ample time to express themselves.
- Avoid interrupting or finishing their sentences.
Reducing Verbal Competition
In families, verbal competition often arises when multiple people talk at the same time. For a child who stutters, this can increase the pressure to speak quickly, which may lead to more stuttering.
4. Minimize Overlapping Conversations
- Encourage turn-taking during conversations.
- Be mindful of situations where siblings, friends, or family members may talk over your child.
5. Limit Rapid-Fire Questions
- Avoid asking a series of questions back-to-back. Instead:
- Use statements or indirect questions to invite your child into the conversation.
- Ask one question at a time and give them space to respond.
Connect on Their Level
6. Be Present and Attentive
- Make eye contact when speaking with your child.
- Get down to their eye level to create a more personal and supportive interaction.
7. Prioritize Quality Time
- Set aside moments in your busy schedule to engage with your child in meaningful conversations.
Supporting Fluency
By incorporating these strategies into your daily interactions, you can help reduce the pressure your child may feel when speaking. Remember, your goal isn’t to eliminate stuttering but to create a supportive environment where your child feels heard, valued, and confident in their communication abilities.
For more information and support, consider consulting a speech-language pathologist who specializes in stuttering. Kids Place in Arizona is here to help!
