My soon-to-be three year old has begun to stutter. She hasn't stuttered until recently. It doesn't seem to be a speech issue, but more of a recall issue or she has so much to say, excitedly, that she repeats words such as I, I, I or others. I'm curious to know if this is a phase that some kids go through or if I should seek some professional help. I guess I just don't want to jump at that if it's something that some children do when they acquire more words and are talking more. Any help would be welcomed. Thank you.
I really really appreciate everyone's feedback on this issue. I feel so much more comfortable now and I also spoke with her teachers and they all agreed with you! Thank you so much.
My son did the same thing at the same age. Now he's fine. I acted like there wasn't an issue, was patient with him. Now his mouth can mostly keep up with his brain.
I would contact the school for help in getting her checked by whatever early intervention program is available. I know two children who did need speech therapy, starting before either were in school yet, to help with their stuttering. With so much good, free of cost help available for children, it makes sense to take advantage of it, and atleast have her evaluated. Good luck!
it is very normal at this age. there brains are working faster then their mouths- I wouldnt be concerned unless it lasts more then 3 months. ask your ped just to be sure
I am a Speech/Language Pathologist. This psuedostuttering is considered normal for children under 5 who are developing their vocabulary. It does not sound like you should be worried. Make sure you do not finish her sentences or make her feel stressed about repeating words. I would keep an eye on her stuttering and see if it goes away by 4 or 5. See if it gets worse and if she becomes reluctant to talk or has many pauses in between words. Also, determine how many times she is repeating words or if she repeats phrases and sentences.
There are normal disfluencies that individuals have and there is also true stuttering. If your daughter continues to stutter for another year or two than you might want to talk or see a Speech/Language Pathologist and tell him/her what you have observed.
My in-laws just recently mentioned that my husband went through this when he was a child (not sure what age). It was just a caseof him having so much to say and not being able to get it out quick enough. He grew out of it. You're a good mom for being concerned, but I don't think it's anything to stress over :O)
Stuttering is a speech issue. I have a friend who is a speech therapist and she took a seminar in techniques to most effectively work with this population of kids. I would say that it would not hurt to have it checked out. As a teacher, you know that early intervention (if needed) is much more effective than waiting until later.
I think that is a common problem. My son did it too and when tired still does. WHen he does it I stop him calmly and say "try again" or stop and think- or something to that effect. WHen he takes that breath and thinks it seems to come out just fine.
Hi-
My almost 6 year old son has had the same issue since he was about 3, and we have been told repeatedly that it is developmental by private speech therapists as well as the public school ones. My son has seen anywhere from 1-3 speech therapists at a time since he was one year old for oral motor and feeding/eating issues. I'm still waiting for the repetitiveness to stop, and he was recently "dismissed" from speech services at school, and graduated from private ST at the end of last summer. If it continues into next year, I will ask again because it does affect his relationships with other kids-they don't have the patience to listen until he finishes his thought. You can certainly ask the public school to evaluate your daughter, but don't be surprised if you get the same response I've gotten.
Good luck....
My daughter began stuttering, right around 3, when she was in preschool. The school she attended has a program for speech therapy so her teacher had her screened and it was developmental. She sounded exactly how you described - she had so much to say and she just thought faster than she could speak. It kept coming and going, so her kindergarten teacher had her observed, and again it was just a phase she was going through where her words just couldn't keep up with everything she had to say! She is 7 and in second grade now and the stutter is completely gone. I hope this helped!
I agree with Denise. At this age it is more a process of their brains working faster than their bodies can produce, and other times it is a "posturing" while they search for the right word.
My son grew out of it, but I can always tell when he's really tired, because he will stutter at the beginning of a sentence.
Be patient, don't finish the words for her, and let her get them out without you displaying any anxiety, and odds are she will be fine.
I think it is just a phase, as I had read this somewhere (can't remember where, but think maybe my Parenting magazine). My son is almost four and still does that a lot. I don't draw any attention to it or try to say the words for him because I don't want to make him self-conscious. You can also tell too that he is just searching for the words because once he gets it, the rest of the sentence flows pretty well. If you have any doubts though, ask your doc.
