Is there something I can do to help my child’s speech?

For Parents

Pay more attention to what your child is saying (that is, the content or message) than to how he or she is saying it (that is, whether it’s stuttered or not).
Pause briefly before responding to your child’s questions, statements, and comments.
Try not to finish your child’s thoughts and sentences. Allow your child to complete his or her own thoughts and sentences.
Try to maintain reasonably relaxed body language when talking with your child, especially when he or she seems to be having trouble talking.

Make talking fun! Let your child talk about things that interest him/her.
Speak at a normal to slow-normal rate, particularly when your child is having trouble talking.
When your child is less fluent, reduce the number and complexity of your questions. For example, ask your child, “Did you play inside or outside today?” rather than, “Tell me everything you did at recess today.”
Let your child know you like his or her attempts to communicate by saying such things as “I really like the things you tell me,” together with positive, encouraging nonverbal (for example, a smiling facial expression) responses.

When asked, talk openly about stuttering in a matter-of-fact way and at a level appropriate to your child.
Try to minimize verbal and/or nonverbal reactions to your child’s stuttering. For example, avoid telling him or her to “relax,” “say it again,” “take a deep breath,” “slow down,” think about what you are saying,” etc.
When your child shows frustration with stuttering (for example, refusing to talk, covering his or her mouth, or saying “Why can’t I talk?”), respond as you would to a skinned knee, that is, in a matter-of-fact way by acknowledging the situation, comforting your child, and moving on.

Establish and be consistent with the child and family’s daily routines (for example, bed time).
Minimize undue lifestyle time pressure. For example, try to avoid continually doing several things at once. Instead, try to establish a reasonably relaxed atmosphere in your everyday life.
When possible, give your child advanced notice about upcoming changes in family routines, schedules, or events (for example, moving, new baby, change in school or daycare, family vacation, new caregiver, etc.).
Help all family members learn to take their turns talking and listening while conversing with one another.
Educate yourselves about stuttering by making use of available resources, for example, those provided by the Stuttering Foundation of America for parents, teachers, and health care providers.