Parent tips:
- Do not interrupt/rush/criticize he/she when speaking
- Do not finish his/her sentence
- Model slow easy speech
- Do not force him/her to speak in stressful situations
Pausing is a technique that is taught to people who stutter. The child is taught to pause after the first word of every sentence, and then after every one, two or three words. The child is taught always to pause after words and never in the middle of a word. This helps to relax and this decrease stuttering.
Model as you Talk:
Pausing and speaking slowly can be modeled by the teacher or the parent. When the teacher asks the question slowly, and with pauses, the child tends to respond with pauses. It also makes it easier for the child to learn pausing.
Remember:
- It is more important what your child says and not how he/she says it.
- Praise your child's actions (speech and non speech related).
- Build in opportunities for your child to be a successful communicator.
- Discuss stuttering with your child so he/she does not feel embarrassed. If you are embarrassed he/she will be as well; therefore promoting a reduction in his/her willingness to communicate.
- Encourage conversations in all environments (car, table, during play, etc.).
- Promote a time when you can talk with your child that is free of interruptions. It's appropriate for all children- those who stutter and those who don't.
- Spend time talking to your child each day.
- Maintain eye contact, but when not possible, assure your child you are listening.
- Promote discussions regarding stories/books/movies.
- Interrupting and completing sentences for your child are behaviors that are discouraged as it only says to your child that his/her message is not important.
- Don't show embarrassment, apprehension, or dissatisfaction about your child's stuttering behaviors.
- Don't correct or criticize or tell your child how to speak, remember if he/she could he/she would.
- Don't make your child publicly communicate if he/she is not ready.