Question
Dear Parents: My child is now 2 and a half years old, and their stuttering has become more severe since they started talking. What should we do?
Answer
Hello: Stuttering can be treated. First, it’s important to note that during the peak period of learning to speak at around 2 years old, occasional repetition of sounds and interruptions in sentences are a natural part of a child’s development and are usually referred to as “temporary dysphonia.” Most children can correct this naturally as they mature. However, parents should be aware of and eliminate factors in the environment that may cause stuttering, and help the child correct their stuttering in the following ways: First, find the cause, such as if someone around them stutters, try to keep the child away from such situations. If there are issues with the parents’ attitude towards the child’s stuttering, they should correct them promptly and avoid being impatient. The more scolding and prohibition there is, the more tense the child becomes, and the worse their stuttering gets. Secondly, you can use distraction methods, such as games or other topics to divert the child’s attention; or through singing, you can compose songs with the sounds that the child often stutters, singing them with melody so that the child can follow along; parents can also lead the child in reciting songs. During this process, give timely encouragement for any progress made to increase the child’s confidence in correcting their stuttering.