Your Child Stammers? 6 Things You Should Do To Help

Stammering is a condition that occurs in childhood. It is not uncommon for very young children to have a temporary period of stammering as they grow.

Children between the ages of 2 and 5 usually have some difficulty expressing themselves fluently. This is completely normal as this is the stage of speech and language development.

As they grow, their speech is improved and the condition is outgrown, however, some children do not outgrow it. Stammering is not merely difficulty with speech; it is a speech disorder which can range in frequency and intensity from mild to severe.

Stammering can and does affect the sufferer in significant ways. Children who stammer are more likely to be bullied and picked on in school. They are also more likely to have low self-confidence.

If not properly managed, this could take a great toll on the child’s emotional and mental health. If you have a child that stutters, here are some of the things you can do to help him/her.

* Treat it as a medical condition that it truly is and see a speech therapist. Your doctor would make a referral for your child.

* Always speak calmly and slowly to your child and encourage others around you to do so.

* Never be impatient or show irritation when your child is trying to talk to you.

* Always slow down and pay attention to what your child is saying.

* Never tease or call attention to your child’s stammer.

* Avoid interrupting your child or finishing a sentence for him/her.

* Always maintain eye contact with your child while he/she is speaking and encourage him/her to talk.