Help me help my 4 yr old who stammers on certain letters.?

Question

to my surprise he doesnt stammers when he is singing or reciting a poem . how can i help him?

Answer 1

That's not uncommon.

Most people who do studder, don't during songs, or poems, OR when someone else is saying the same thing at the same time.

There is a hearing piece for this, but at this age, doesn't his school offer some kind of therapy, he is young, so I would look into therapy now.

Answer 2

Speech troubles are common in young children.  The schools I've worked in generally refuse to treat a speech problem if the child is third grade or younger, as children younger than 4th grade generally outgrow these issues without any intervention.  Just continue treating your 4 year old like normal; calling attention to it will only make him uncomfortable and nervous.

Answer 3

This is really quite common at this age.  My friends daughter was doing the same thing at five years and the speech therapist told her not to worry.  You can help by not drawing attention to it.  Do not try to finish what your child is saying as this will only affect her confidence more.  If you think it is getting worse then ask your doctor for a referral or speak to your school nurse.

Answer 4

Your best source of help for stuttering, especially with a young child is The Stuttering Foundation of America.  Check out www.stutteringhelp.org and you will find tips for parents of ways they can help, if and when your child needs to see a speech therapist who specializes in treating stuttering, a list of referrals to specialists all over the world, online videos, helpful books you can find at your library or in the estore, etc.  They are a nonprofit group started by a man who stuttered.

They give these suggestions:

7 Ways to Help the Child Who Stutters

compiled by Barry Guitar, Ph.D. and Edward G. Conture, Ph.D.

1. Speak with your child in an unhurried way, pausing frequently. Wait a few seconds after your child finishes speaking before you begin to speak. Your own slow, relaxed speech will be far more effective than any criticism or advice such as "slow down" or "try it again slowly."

2. Reduce the number of questions you ask your child. Children speak more freely if they are expressing their own ideas rather than answering an adult's questions. Instead of asking questions, simply comment on what your child has said, thereby letting him know you heard him.

3. Use your facial expressions and other body language to convey to your child that you are listening to the content of her message and not to how she's talking.

4. Set aside a few minutes at a regular time each day when you can give your undivided attention to your child. During this time, let the child choose what he would like to do. Let him direct you in activities and decide himself whether to talk or not. When you talk during this special time, use slow, calm, and relaxed speech, with plenty of pauses. This quiet, calm time can be a confidence-builder for younger children, letting them know that a parent enjoys their company. As the child gets older, it can be a time when the child feels comfortable talking about his feelings and experiences with a parent.

5. Help all members of the family learn to take turns talking and listening. Children, especially those who stutter, find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listeners' attention.

6. Observe the way you interact with your child. Try to increase those times that give your child the message that you are listening to her and she has plenty of time to talk. Try to decrease criticisms, rapid speech patterns, interruptions, and questions.

7. Above all, convey that you accept your child as he is. The most powerful force will be your support of him, whether he stutters or not.

Another good source is http://stammeringcentre.org/s-index