by Dee Davis

Created on: August 21, 2009

Toddler stammering can be a challenging thing for a parent to deal with. It usually occurs in young children age 5 and under. Coping will require a great deal of patience, understanding, education and at times some professional help for the child. It is not all negative, it could also mean that the child is coming into his or her own and there are mental, emotional and physical changes they are going through that may trigger this type of behavior. There are different degrees of stammering and the causes are different in every child. More importantly it's something that they will grow out of (if dealt with correctly). All they need is some support and encouragement. Stammering and stuttering are usually confused, however they are quite different. Stammering is when the first letter or sound of a word or the whole word is repeated before it is spoken; for example, t-t-t-t-two dogs or if-if-if-if-if I can. Being in stressful situations or fatigue may worsen the stammering or stuttering. Stuttering is when a person repeats part of a word or there is a prolonged repetition of a word or part of a word. It may take a long time to get the word out or complete a simple sentence. There may also be trembling or lip vibrations. To see a child or someone struggle with a word or sentence, or grasp after saying a word can be heart wrenching. This article will take a look at some things that parents can do to help their child through this stage or with this condition.

1. When your child stammers do not look away, make eye contact as a show of interest in what they have to say.

2. If you have other children in the home that tend to dominate conversations because they are older or more fluent; ask them to wait their turn because their little brother or sister is speaking. Also have them participate by listening attentively or by responding as well.

3. Spend quality time alone with your child daily (at least 5 minutes), just having a fluent conversation.

4. Simplify your sentences; mirror the simplified sentences like that of your child.

5. Slow down the pace of your speech and enunciate your words a little more than usual.

6. Praise your child every time he or she speaks well and appears to be more relaxed in his or her delivery.

7. Do not draw too much attention to or focus too much on the problem.

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