Parenting Tips

 
     My son is just three and we have 6-month-old twin daughters. In addition to the new babies, we have moved twice in the last year and a- half and have had several baby-sitters. My son cries a lot and now has started stuttering. We try to calm and comfort him when he cries, but sometimes it seems that it just makes him cry harder.

     Your three-year-old has gone though many major changes in the past year-and-a-half. His behavior is not surprising considering all he has gone through in his short three-years of life. Giving him a sense of stability is critical at this stage of life.

     Try to give him as much love and attention as possible. Make time for him to be alone with both of you often. A consistent child caregiver is critical. Try to find one committed person so that you son can bond and establish a trusting relationship during the hours you are gone.

     If a more consistent and stable environment doesn't bring diminishing stuttering and crying, seek family counseling to help with the behavior before it becomes more difficult to solve.

Suggestions for Parents

     Try to ignore stuttering when it occurs. DON'T ever correct or try to help your child talk slower. Always speak calmly and use simple language. Try to slow down the entire pace of the household, including language. Set aside some relaxing time for you and your child to speak together slowly. Praise the other activities your child does well whenever you can.

     Ask yourself if there are any changes in your child's life or in your family situation. These changes could be creating some frustrations and/or anxiety, which for some children lead to stuttering

     Most children between the ages of two and five experience some stuttering

     DON'T ask your child to repeat what he said "this time without stuttering."

     Keep things calm. Speak at a relaxed unhurried pace.

     Give your child your total attention when he speaks. Make sure that your child doesn't have to compete with the TV or another activity for your attention.

     DON'T finish words or sentences even when you know what your child is trying to say.

     Keep eye contact when your child is talking.

     Don't force your child to speak or recite before strangers or visitors. Performance anxiety will only make stuttering worse.

     Show patience and acceptance.

     If following the previous suggestions consistently doesn't help and after six months improvement is not noted, a speech and language assessment is advised. The Stuttering Foundation offers a toll-free hotline, (800) 992-9392 and has an helpful website at www.stuttersfa.org