Resources / CDP Videos

VIDEO: Does Your Preschooler Stutter? (Part 2 of 2)

Are you looking for ways to support your child who is stuttering? In this video, Marlene shares many practical tips and suggestions that you can use every day to help your child become more fluent. This is part 2 of a 2-part series.

If you live in York Region and are concerned that your child is stuttering, please call 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) to make a referral.

Strategies to help you child by reducing demands/pressures on speech and support fluency

1. Be patient.
2. Listen to What is said, not How it is said
3. Repeat or rephrase – let them know you heard them
4. Do not interrupt or finish their words
5. Be face to face and at their level
6. Avoid correcting the stuttering such as “slow down” or “stop and think”
7. Slow down your speech by pausing between phrases
8. Pause before responding to your child
9. Model language that is appropriate for your child’s age or simplify language
10. Refrain from asking a lot of questions.
11. Do not tell your child to talk
12. Wait for them to answer a questions before asking another question
13. Replace questions with comments and Wait
14. Ask choice OR yes/no questions
15. Do not correct speech sound errors OR grammar. Model instead!
16. Encourage good turn taking.
17. Reduce time pressure or slow down the pace of life to help your child by:
    1. Make sure child’s schedule is not too busy
    2. Down time between activities
    3. Have your child participate in fewer activities
    4. Setting up routines making life more predictable
18. Make time to talk and play with your child. Take 5 minutes a day to play and talk with your child.