Early Childhood Stuttering: What Parents Need to Know

Stuttering is a speech pattern involving difficulties in starting or maintaining smooth speech, often accompanied by visible effort or tension. Stuttering commonly begins in early childhood, often between the ages of 2 and 6. For many children, stuttering can be a normal part of language development as they learn to form sentences and express their thoughts. For others, it may persist into adolescence and adulthood.

What Causes Stuttering?

The exact cause of stuttering isn’t fully understood, but research points to a combination of factors. Genetics can play a role, as stuttering often runs in families. Neurological development and how the brain processes speech and language also contribute. It’s important to note that stuttering is not caused by parenting style, anxiety, or environmental factors. It is also not something that a child or adult who stutters can control.

Signs of Stuttering

Common signs of stuttering include:

• Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., “I-I-I want that”).
• Prolonging sounds (e.g., “Mmmmommy”).
• Pausing or getting “stuck” while speaking.
• Some children may show visible tension in their face or body when trying to speak, or they might avoid speaking altogether if they feel frustrated.

When to Schedule a Speech Therapy Appointment

While occasional disfluencies are normal for young children, families and children may benefit from speech therapy services when:

• A child becomes frustrated with their communication and/or starts to avoid communicating certain situations
• Family members feel like they need additional support or information
• There has been an increase in the frequency of stuttering
• There has been an increase in facial/body tension during stuttering
• Stuttering persists longer than 6 months

How Parents Can Help

As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s speech development. Here are some practical steps you can take:

• Be patient: Allow your child plenty of time to finish their sentences without interrupting or finishing their thoughts. Maintain eye contact and show that you care about what they have to say
• Create a calm environment: Speak slowly and clearly, modeling relaxed communication. Children will often follow our lead and slow down their rate of speech when we model it.
• Focus on listening: Show your child you value what they’re saying, not how they’re saying it.
• Maintain neutral language around stuttering: Children are quick to pick up on how we talk about stuttering, so we want to maintain neutral language. For example, we can describe stuttering as happening “more frequently” or “less frequently” as opposed to say that it has been “better” or “worse.”