One of the major milestones in child development is speech, and parents eagerly await the first spoken words. However, as the years go by, problems and difficulties can arise that make this important step more challenging for a child. One such problem is childhood stuttering, and few people know how to deal with this situation.

The development of speech occurs during the ages of 2 to 5 years in children. Within this period, some may find communication easier, while others may have difficulties pronouncing certain syllables and words.

This difficulty is completely normal and expected, as long as it is not accompanied by frequent hesitation and repetition of syllables, which would then be classified as childhood stuttering. There are three types of stuttering:

  • Normal – Having difficulty pronouncing some syllables and hesitation before some words is considered normal. This can happen to anyone at any age.
  • Mild – Stuttering is considered mild when there is difficulty pronouncing certain words, repeating them a few times, and becoming nervous or stressed when trying to speak. In this case, it is usually temporary, and the signs disappear over the months.
  • Severe – It is considered severe when a child has difficulty expressing themselves in almost all communication situations. There is a complete block in pronouncing words, and it takes a long time to speak syllables and words correctly, repeating each syllable several times. The child experiences tension when trying to communicate and shows clear signs of nervousness, including facial and body gestures, leading to stress.

Childhood stuttering can be caused by a hereditary factor, for instance if a parent, grandparent, or other relative has the same problem. But there is also developmental stuttering that occurs without an apparent reason. Therefore, if you notice difficulty in pronouncing syllables or observe repetition and trouble speaking that makes the child anxious, a specialist should be consulted immediately to assess the case.

What Is the Treatment for Childhood Stuttering?

Usually, signs of childhood stuttering are temporary and disappear spontaneously over time. But in some isolated cases, the problem can persist and last into adolescence, and if not properly treated, into adulthood.

When it occurs in children aged 4 to 6, treatment involves patience, speaking slowly with the child, and learning to listen while conveying calm and comfort so the child can communicate. Do not correct or draw attention to it, and never ask the child to speak slowly—these are positive ways to help. Correction can make the child even more anxious and make the situation worse.

When it occurs during school years, the problems can become even more serious, as it causes shyness and further blocks the child from expressing themselves and wanting to communicate with others, resulting in a withdrawn child without friends.

As soon as signs of difficulty are observed, a psychologist or speech therapist should be consulted to assess the degree of childhood stuttering. The specialist will also check if the problem was triggered by excessive anxiety or by family, social or environmental factors. Finding the root of the problem can be the solution, and the sooner it is resolved, the fewer difficulties will arise.

The majority of childhood stuttering cases see improvement with treatment, especially when started early. That’s why it’s crucial to seek a specialist as soon as you notice any signs in order to achieve the goal and completely resolve the problem.

See also: School Adjustment – How to Deal with a New Routine?

Photos: Thiago Marques, David