Question
Sometimes they repeat words or can’t express themselves, and sometimes they speak fluently but only with short sentences. When they use complex words or longer sentences, they stutter. What methods can parents use to guide their child in correcting this incorrect speaking manner?
Answer
Traditional treatments include psychotherapy, phonetic therapy, and breathing therapy. Generally, psychotherapy is the main approach, combined with exercises to change bad habits, such as reciting poems or singing with rhythmic breathing and sound production. This helps focus the mind on rhythm and meter, diverting the attention of the person who stutters from the act of sound production, making it less difficult over time. For children with stuttering, parents should not be too concerned but also not completely ignore it. Don’t scold or blame the child; instead, reward and encourage them when they do not stutter. Gradually, the child will improve.