Tips for Talking with the Child who Stutters

1.      Don’t tell the child to “slow down,” or “relax.”

2.    Speak with the child in an unhurried way.  Wait a few seconds after the child finishes speaking before you begin to speak.  This slows down the overall pace of conversation.

3.    Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening.  All children-and especially those who stutter-find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listener’s attention.

4.    Use your facial expressions, eye contact, and other body language to convey to the child that you are listening to the content of her message and not “how” she is talking.

5.    Expect the same quality and quantity of work from the student who stutters at home as the one who doesn’t.

6.    Try to decrease criticisms, rapid speech patterns, and interruptions.

7.    Don’t complete words or finish sentences for the child, or talk for him or her.

8.    Have a one-on-one conversation with the student who stutters about needed accommodations in the classroom.  Be respectful of his needs but not enabling.

9.    Don’t make stuttering something to be ashamed of.  Talk about stuttering just like any other matter.

 

For more information visit “The Stuttering Foundation” website at www.stutteringhelp.org