02/25/2026
📝 Some general guidelines to help children who stutter communicate effectively:
1️⃣ Listen patiently and maintain normal eye contact - Convey that you are listening intently and try to keep eye contact even if the child looks away.
2️⃣ Do not finish their sentences - Allow children to complete what they want to say, even when it seems like it is taking a long time. Do not guess at what you think they are saying. Reflect back what you have heard so they know that you have understood them; then, give them an opportunity to repair the message if necessary.
3️⃣ Do not rush children to finish. - Time pressure is a problem for many children who stutter. When children feel a need to speak quickly, tension can build up in their speech muscles, thereby causing increased stuttering.
4️⃣ Do not give simplistic advice - Simple suggestions such as “Slow down,” “Take a deep breath,” “Start over,” and “Think about what you are going to say,” may be well-meaning and seemingly helpful for children who stutter. Unfortunately, these suggestions can put unnecessary pressure on them and actually make it harder to speak.
5️⃣ Do not praise fluency, but rather praise content - When we praise a child for being fluent, we are sending the message that we prefer fluent speech, thereby suggesting it is better than stuttering. Instead, respond positively to what the child is saying, not how they are saying it.
Visit our blog to read more ➡️ www.stutteringtreatment.org/blog/when-a-student-stutters-advice-for-teachers
