Question
How should one deal with a 2-year-old child who is experiencing a stutter? While the child was able to speak fluently at one year old, they began to stutter around two and a half years old. After two corrections, no further corrections were made, but the situation has gradually worsened. Now, the child often stutters when speaking but not when singing or telling stories. Will this condition persist?
Answer
Currently, the treatment for stuttering, including behavioral therapy and medication, has not shown significant effects. If the child’s stuttering has not improved by the age of 4, it may become more challenging. Firstly, it is important to help the child overcome their psychological fear; parents should not scold them and avoid interrupting or correcting them arbitrarily. Instead, interact with the child as if they were unaware of the stuttering, communicate normally, and encourage the child to slow down their speaking pace. At the same time, provide opportunities for reading and singing, which can be very helpful in improving the stuttering condition.