Stunned by Stuttering: Welcome to Toddlerhood
Author: Stef Daniel
The first time you hear it, it will make you cringe. Your perfectly cute little toddler who just yesterday was speaking in sentences is stuttering! You may wonder what happened, what went wrong, or even if they have been injured somehow. Stuttering between the ages of 18 months and 3 years of age can come on with the speed and intensity of a summer thunderstorm and without any warning altogether. Unfortunately, it's the parents who suffer the most from the stuttering and while the child is going through the phase, it shouldn't be brought to the toddler's attention. Let them work it out.
Pediatricians and speech pathologists strongly advise parents not to bring grave attention to the matter. Toddlers can easily notice their parent's hesitation and emotions, and they should not feel like they are doing something wrong. This will only make them more nervous and can actually exasperate the stuttering. The other big mistake that parents make is trying to finish the sentence for their toddler rather than letting them muddle their way through it. This will only reinforce the habit and will not help them to build speech confidence. Let them finish the sentence, and only help them on a word if they seem to ask for assistance. Never allow older children in the home to laugh or make jokes about it, and try as much as possible to remain calm and poised.
What many parents don't understand is why it has such a sudden onset. The reason is actually simple. For many kids, their brain and thought functions are developing so much more quickly than their verbal skills, and they are thinking ahead of what they are supposed to be saying. It is similar to trying to write something you are thinking, but you can't write as fast as you can talk. When you imagine it that way, you will realize that often the stuttering is when they are excited to share something with you or are trying to tell you something that is important to them. Urge them only to slow down, but never make them repeat their entire sentence or correct them. This can make them not want to talk at all. Help when it comes to stuttering should always come in the form of patient guidance.
Other children begin to stutter when they are feeling nervous or under stress. If your family has been having some issues, chances are your toddler is picking up on them. Never underestimate what toddlers can understand emotionally. Toddlers who have older siblings are also more prone to develop stuttering habits because they feel competitive about speaking and having themselves heard. Often, older children overpower them.
Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned. Most speech therapists don't recommend that intervention be sought until the stuttering has lasted for a consistent 6 months or gets worse instead of better. In the meantime, feel reassured that your toddler is one of half of ALL toddlers who will have bouts of stuttering and give them the time they need to say what's on their mind.
