Understanding Stuttering
What’s Typical and When to Seek Help
It can be alarming to hear your child start to stutter—especially if it seems to appear suddenly. But did you know that stuttering can actually be a normal part of early speech and language development? Many young children go through a phase of disfluency (trouble with the smooth flow of speech), and in most cases, it’s temporary and developmentally appropriate.
Let’s take a closer look at when stuttering is considered typical—and when it might be a sign to consult a speech-language pathologist.
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What Is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the fluency of speech. It can include:
• Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (“b-b-b-ball” or “can-can-can I…”)
• Prolonging sounds (“Mmmmmommy”)
• Getting stuck or blocked when trying to speak (a noticeable pause or effort to push out a word)
These disruptions can be frustrating for both the child and the parent, but not all stuttering is cause for concern.
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When Stuttering Is Normal
Many children between the ages of 2 and 5 go through a phase of disfluent speech. This is often due to a burst in language development—kids are learning tons of new words, grammar rules, and concepts all at once, and sometimes their speech motor system can’t quite keep up. This is called developmental stuttering, and it’s considered normal.
Signs of typical developmental disfluency include:
• Happens occasionally, not all the time
• Child seems unbothered by it
• Disfluencies happen most when the child is excited, tired, or thinking intently
• No signs of physical tension or struggle when speaking
• The child continues to talk freely and confidently
This type of stuttering often resolves on its own without intervention.
Children’s vocabulary grows rapidly during early childhood.
By age one, they recognize about 50 words. By age three, they recognize around 1,000 words, and by age five, they recognize approximately 10,000 words, according to GOV.UK.
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When to Be Concerned
While some disfluency is part of normal development, there are signs that might suggest a child would benefit from a speech-language evaluation. You may want to reach out to an SLP if:
• Stuttering lasts more than 6 months
• The child shows tension in their face, neck, or body while speaking
• They start avoiding talking, or seem frustrated or anxious about speaking
• Disfluencies are frequent and disrupt the flow of conversation
• There’s a family history of stuttering
• The stuttering gets worse over time rather than improving
Early intervention can make a big difference, especially if the stuttering is causing emotional distress or interfering with communication. We talk about other reasons that early intervention is key in this post- check it out for more info on this topic.
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What Parents Can Do
Whether your child’s stuttering is typical or not, there are things you can do at home to support them:
• Listen patiently and avoid finishing their sentences
• Maintain eye contact and show interest in what they’re saying—not how they say it
• Slow down your own speech to model a calm, unhurried pace
• Give them plenty of time to talk and avoid interrupting
• Keep communication times low-pressure and positive
Above all, reassure your child that what they have to say is important—and that you’re always listening.
Keep communication times low-pressure and positive.
At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to child’s success is the positive involvement of the parents.
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When in Doubt, Reach Out
If you’re unsure whether your child’s stuttering is typical or needs support, it’s okay to trust your gut and speak with a speech-language pathologist. A quick consultation or screening can offer peace of mind and helpful strategies for supporting your child’s communication journey. Check out what our screenings and initial consultations look like!
Have questions about your child’s speech development?
We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or speech screening.