Thinkabara💬 Stuttering in children
Stuttering means speech is interrupted by repetitions ("b-b-b-ball"), stretched sounds ("sssssun") or blocks where no sound comes out. Here is what is typical, what helps and when to ask for an evaluation.
Typical disfluency or stuttering?
| More typical | More like stuttering |
|---|---|
| Repeating whole words or phrases: "I want — I want juice." | Repeating parts of words: "j-j-j-juice". |
| Fillers like "um" and "uh". | Stretching sounds: "mmmmommy". |
| Revisions: "I saw a — I found a bug." | Blocks: the mouth is ready but no sound comes out. |
| The child doesn't seem to notice or mind. | Tension, eye blinking, avoiding words, or frustration. |
When to see a speech-language pathologist
- Stuttering has lasted 6 months or more.
- Your child shows tension, struggle or avoids talking.
- There is a family history of stuttering that continued.
- Your child started stuttering after age 3½.
- Your child or you are worried — that alone is a good reason.
How to help at home
- Listen to what your child says, with relaxed eye contact. Wait patiently; don't finish words.
- Speak a little more slowly yourself, with pauses — it is more helpful than telling the child to slow down.
- Ask fewer rapid questions; comment instead ("You built a tall tower!").
- Give everyone turns to talk at the table without interruptions.
- If your child is upset, acknowledge it calmly: "That word was bumpy. That's okay — I'm listening."
🖨️ Printable tip sheet for teachers
Press Print to print this one-page tip sheet for your child's teacher.
Helping a student who stutters — tips for teachers
- Give the student time to finish. Don't finish words or sentences for them.
- Keep natural eye contact and show you are listening to the message.
- Don't tell the student to "slow down", "relax" or "take a breath".
- Talk privately with the student about what helps them — e.g., for reading aloud or answering questions.
- Call on the student with questions that need short answers on hard days.
- Reduce time pressure in the classroom; stuttering often increases when rushed.
- Don't allow teasing. Treat stuttering as a normal difference.
- Keep in touch with the family and the school's speech-language pathologist.
Student: ____________________ What helps me:
Frequently asked questions
Is stuttering normal in preschoolers?
Many children go through a period of stuttering between ages 2 and 5, often when their language grows quickly. Many of them stop stuttering within a few years, with or without therapy. Because it is hard to predict who will recover, it is reasonable to talk to an SLP if stuttering lasts more than a few months or worries you or your child.
What causes stuttering?
Stuttering is linked to differences in how the brain coordinates speech, and it often runs in families. It is not caused by parenting, nervousness or something a child did. Stress and excitement can make it more noticeable, but they do not cause it.
Should I tell my child to slow down?
Usually not. Comments like "slow down" or "take a breath" can make a child feel that talking is hard. It helps more to slow your own speech a little, give your child time and listen to what they say, not how they say it.
Can adults who stutter get help?
Yes. SLPs work with people of all ages. Support groups such as the National Stuttering Association and FRIENDS (for kids and families) can also help.
Related pages
Language milestonesSound development chartAll speech activities