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my child stutters
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:38 pm
by catchmeifucan
Currently working with a 3 and a half yr old child who stutters. Parents are really concerned and want to get some advice.
I was wondering if its a normal part of development. is there anything I can do to help the child and family?
Re: my child stutters
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:04 pm
by Lorina
It is a normal part of a child's development mainly between the ages of 3-4 years old.
Basically what is causing the stutter is that in their mind the child has to search for words to use to express them self and when forming these words into sentences, it's limited. As a result the words seems o come out in an out pour and the words are broken, causing him to stutter.
- Try to speak more slowly, clearly and calmly. Speak in short simple sentences and at a slower tempo. This will allow the child to find it much easier to achieve fluency. If you are relaxed while speaking to the child, they will feel more relaxed when speaking to you.
- You may have noticed that this child stutters a lot when they get really excited about something on when wanting to tell a story.
- When they want to tell you something let the child finish what they are saying, no matter how much difficulty they are having. Listen with patience and understanding because they are telling you something important to them.
- Don't "hurry up" the stuttering child by finishing their sentences and words for them. This will not give the child the confidence to develop speech.
Although not always seen stuttering is a normal part of development and the child should grow out of it in the next 6-12 months.
If you feel that after 6 months their is no improvement then you could suggest a speech pathologist...
Hope this helps,
,
L.A