What Can I Do to Help My Child Who Stutters?
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
Some kids who stutter grow out of their stutter, clutter or stammer, but for those who continue to struggle, or take longer to resolve their stutter, speech therapy for kids can help them overcome this common challenge.
Have you noticed that your child gets stuck on certain words or sounds in conversation?
They try to say words but the words won’t come out in a timely manner. Your child may feel like they need to push the words out or avoid speaking all together. If so, he or she may be experiencing a stutter or a stammer.
Some level of stuttering is quite common in childhood. According to the National Stuttering Association, approximately 5 percent of children world wide experience some form of stuttering. While many of those young children ultimately stop stuttering in childhood, those who continue to stutter are likely to continue stuttering in some fashion throughout their lives.
Early detection and intervention can help kids who stutter
Children experience frustration and confusion when their stutters happen and they don’t know what to do to help themselves. A therapist can provide children with functional tools they can use that would be uniquely designed to match their needs.
Children can start losing their confidence and the will to engage with people as their stutter persists. Early intervention can prevent this issue from getting worse.
How do you know if your child has a stutter or a stammer?
She speaks too fast and is hard to understand
He repeats words and/or sounds (ex. “My my my mother….”)
She prolongs certain sounds (ex. “Sss sss Sam …”)
He blocks or gets “stuck” on specific or random sounds that may last a second or several seconds
She has dis-coordinated breathing (ex. taking big gulps of air through her mouth)
He pauses in anticipation of stuttering on a word
Teenagers and adults sometimes experience anticipation of a stutter before it happens, since they have lived with their stutter for a while and learned the patterns (ex. stuttering on words that start with the letter ‘r’). Anticipating a stutter can lead to more stutters, or the avoidance or substitution of target words.
Stutters could be setting-specific, or can come and go
When we start working with a child in speech therapy for stuttering, we first need to identify the type of stutter patterns they have, and then the habits that have developed over time. Children tend to develop habits in an effort to help themselves in their speaking. However, over time those habits can interfere with progress and even contribute to the severity of the stutter.
How can I help my kid who stutter?
Once we establish the basics, we frequently start with breathing. Here is a technique we often use. You can try this for yourself or your child to help at home:
Practice Breathing. The most important aspect to speaking clearly and fluently is a well-coordinated breathing pattern. You can model smooth and steady breathing in a quiet space for your child. Start by encouraging a practice of this breathing so their body can get used to the breathing pattern:
Start breathing in smoothly through your nose.
Notice how the belly moves outward and expands during the inhale and returns to resting position during the exhale. Exhale through the mouth slowly. Place a hand on the belly for further sensory input.
Continue this cycle of breathing until it feels synchronized and has a nice steady flow.
You can then carry over this pattern into the following step.
Bring Breathing into Book Time. If your child is at reading level, you can use book time to your advantage and incorporate practicing the breathing strategies during your book reading routines.
How you do this will depend upon your child’s reading level:
Pre-Readers: For children who are not reading yet, you can model correct breathing when you are teaching them a word that you want them to repeat.
Single-Word: If your son or daughter is on one-word level, instruct him/her to breathe in through the nose before reading the word and exhale when starting to read the word. Make sure that he/she is not holding on to the breath.
Sentences: If your child is reading on sentence level, have them breathe in at the start of the sentence.
Paragraphs: If they are on paragraph/story level, have them breathe in at the start of each paragraph. You can write the letter ‘B’ at the beginning of their reading spot to indicate where they need to breathe in.
Complex: For children who are reading complex sentences and paragraphs, once they master the first step, you can move further in practicing their breathing. In complex sentences, a good time to breathe in gently is at conjunctions (and, but, so, etc.) and commas. Using these strategies helps your child to vary their intonation and slow down their speech.
Tips
Doing this exercise can help in developing awareness for when your little one is anticipating a stutter, as many children stutter when they read as well as when they are speaking. Help your child start to identify when this habit occurs as they are reading, and they will start to learn it for their speaking as well.
Remind your child not to avoid or substitute words that they feel they will stutter on. The habit of avoidance and substitution can grow over time, and even into adulthood, affecting confidence in expressing themselves in personal relationships, at school or work, and opportunities for public speaking. Instead, remind them if they feel a stutter coming on, to use their strategies to get through the stutter. It is always better to get through something challenging instead of looking for ways to get away from it.
When your child becomes comfortable with the breathing patterns, you can carry over the strategy into conversations. Practice common conversations with them using what you have learned above.
What are some other causes or contributors to stuttering?
Sometimes children stutter because they don’t organize their thoughts before speaking. They tend to try to figure out what they want to say on the go. The disorganization results in choppy speech, dis-coordinated breathing, repeating themselves, and other behaviors. Remind your child to think of what they want to say first, organize the story in their mind, and then share it.
Remember – repetition, awareness, and patience are essential throughout the therapy process. Many of our clients have benefited from speech therapy for stuttering, using techniques like what we shared above.
Starting early is important, and the learning will offer lifetime benefits, like:
Reducing the frequency and severity of their stutters.
Better coping strategies to overcome severe stutters especially when situated in a setting that provokes more stutters.
Greater comfort and confidence in speaking to friends, family, and new people.
Increased success in school or work from confidence, comfort and abilities.
At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I be concerned if my child is stuttering?
Stuttering often begins between ages 2 and 5, and many children outgrow it naturally. However, if stuttering persists beyond 6 months, worsens over time, or causes your child visible frustration or avoidance of speaking, it is worth consulting a speech-language pathologist. Early evaluation can make a meaningful difference in your child's progress and confidence.
How can I talk to my child about their stutter without making them feel self-conscious?
Use calm, matter-of-fact language and let your child finish their thoughts without interrupting or finishing sentences for them. You might say something simple like, 'I notice talking feels tricky sometimes. That is okay, and I am always here to listen.' Normalizing the experience at home reduces shame and helps your child feel safe communicating with you and others.
Will my child stutter for the rest of their life?
Approximately 75 to 80 percent of children who stutter recover, many without formal treatment, especially when stuttering begins before age 5. Those who do not outgrow it can still lead full, expressive lives with the right support. A licensed speech-language pathologist can assess your child's specific pattern and recommend a plan tailored to their needs and developmental stage.
What does stuttering therapy for children actually look like?
Therapy is usually play-based, conversational, and focused on building fluency skills alongside confidence and communication ease. Techniques may include slowing speech rate, easy onsets, and reducing tension around difficult sounds. Better Speech connects families with licensed speech-language pathologists online, with no waitlists and insurance-ready care, so your child can start getting support quickly and conveniently from home.
Are there things I might be doing accidentally that make my child's stuttering worse?
Common well-meaning habits, such as telling your child to slow down, take a breath, or start over, can actually increase anxiety and tension around speech. Instead, model a relaxed speaking pace yourself, give your child plenty of unhurried time to talk, and focus on the message rather than how it is delivered. A speech therapist can coach you on specific strategies that support fluency at home.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
