Stuttering in toddlers and preschoolers: when should you worry?
Reading time: 1 min.
Written by TinyEye
Stuttering in toddlers and preschoolers: when should you worry? It is a question that many parents ask themselves as soon as their child suddenly starts stuttering while talking. At this stage of rapid language development, it is not surprising that speech is not always fluent yet. But how do you know what is normal and when something more might be at play?
In toddler and preschool age, your child makes a huge leap in language. New words, longer sentences and more complicated thoughts follow in quick succession. This is great to see, but it also demands a lot from the brain as well as oral motor skills. Sometimes the thought is faster than the mouth to pronounce it, and then hiccups occur.
With stuttering, you can see that a child struggles to pronounce words fluently. This may manifest itself in repeating sounds or syllables ("m-m-mama"), lengthening sounds ("sssss toy") or blocking completely while talking. The child knows what he wants to say, but the words do not come out smoothly.
You are certainly not the only one if your child faces this. About 5 to 10 per cent of toddlers and preschoolers stutter at some stage of their development. In many cases, it is temporary, called 'developmental stuttering'. This is a normal form of non-fluent speech that usually disappears on its own within a few months.
If stuttering is mild, occasional and your child does not seem to be bothered by it yet, it is usually part of normal speech development. Especially when the child is enthusiastic, tired or just wants to talk a lot, it may falter a bit more. This is quite normal in this age phase.
Even though it is often harmless, it is important to keep a close eye on stuttering. Does it last longer than a few months, do you notice your child getting frustrated or starting to avoid talking? Then it is wise to be extra vigilant. In the following sections, you will read how to better recognise incipient stuttering and which signs indicate that speech therapy may be wise.
Stuttering in toddlers and preschoolers is sometimes difficult to recognise, especially since faltering speech is quite normal at this age. Nevertheless, there are clear signs that may indicate incipient stuttering. By observing carefully, you can assess whether it is temporary developmental stuttering or whether it is wise to seek further help.
A common signal is repeating the first sound or syllable of a word. For example, think "m-m-mum" or "I I I want that." These repetitions are often short and occur mainly when your child is excited or wants to say something quickly. Sometimes a child also repeats whole words or short phrases.
Another sign of stuttering is the prolongation of sounds. For example, you might hear, "sssss toy" or "rrrrr drive." This may be related to tension while speaking, or searching for the right word. The child tries to move, but the sound sticks for a while.
Some children suddenly stop in the middle of a sentence or seem to get stuck on a word. They want to talk, but nothing comes out for a while. We call this a blockage. The head knows what it wants to say, but the mouth does not participate. These silences can last for several seconds and are sometimes accompanied by tension in the face.
Also pay attention to your child's body language. Does it move its head while talking, squeeze its eyes or tighten its jaws? If so, this could be a sign of frustration or an attempt to get the word out anyway. Sometimes a child tries to continue talking with extra force or speed, which can actually make the stuttering worse.
In toddlers, you often see stuttering playfully and unconsciously, without them even realising that something is not going smoothly. Toddlers, on the other hand, can already become a little more aware of their speaking. If a toddler notices that talking is difficult, he may start to feel embarrassed about it or even try to avoid it. This is an important signal to watch out for.
It is natural to wonder where your child's stuttering comes from. Unfortunately, there is no single cause, but there are several factors that can contribute to the emergence or reinforcement of stuttering behaviour. It is often a combination of predisposition, development and circumstances.
Stuttering regularly runs in the family. If one of the parents used to stutter, the child is more likely to suffer from it too. Of course, this is not to say that every child with a stuttering parent will automatically stutter, but the predisposition may be present. Hereditary sensitivity makes some children's nervous system more susceptible to disruptions in the speaking process.
Toddlers go through a lot: a move, a new sibling, or tensions at home. Although they often cannot yet put into words what is going on, they have a strong sense of emotion. This tension can manifest itself in their speech. Some children talk faster or less fluently when they are tired, under pressure or have a lot to say.
The language development of young children is rapid. In a short time, they learn to make sentences, combine words and express their thoughts. This is a handsome achievement, but not every child can keep up with this speed. Sometimes the thinking process is beyond what the oral motor can handle. Then hiccups occur, simply because speech has yet to grow along with language skills.
Some children are more sensitive to stimuli than others. In a busy environment, with lots of noise or distractions, it can be more difficult to keep attention on speaking. This can lead to more stuttering moments. Children who want to react quickly or are perfectionists may also be more likely to fall into a speaking block.
Important to know: stuttering does not arise from something you as a parent do wrong. It is not a parenting problem and it is not caused by you addressing your child too much, too little or in a certain way. However, you can have a positive influence by giving calm, space and attention to your child's speaking - more on that later.
In many cases, they do. In a large proportion of children, stuttering disappears on its own within six to 12 months, without the need for treatment. We call this developmental stuttering. Nevertheless, it is important to keep a close eye on it. If the stuttering persists longer or actually increases, it is wise to seek advice from a speech therapist.
If you notice that your child is aware of stuttering, is embarrassed, starts avoiding talking or gets frustrated, it is wise to contact a speech therapist. Even if the stuttering persists for more than six months or gets worse, it is a good idea to get help. The sooner you get there, the better your chances of recovery.
No, rather not. It is not necessary (and not even helpful) to improve your child's speech. For example, don't say "talk quietly" or "take a breath." By doing so, you unintentionally emphasise stuttering. Better to speak calmly yourself, listen carefully, and give your child space to finish his story - even if it takes a bit longer.
Stuttering can start suddenly, even overnight. This is not unusual in toddler or preschool age. In many cases, it disappears as suddenly as it came. Still, it is good to stay alert. If necessary, write down when you first noticed the stuttering and how it develops. This will make it easier to discuss any changes with a speech therapist.
Yes, stress can amplify stuttering. Think of a busy day, fatigue, new situations or big changes at home. A child who already has some stammering may have more difficulty speaking fluently under pressure. Therefore, it helps to provide calm and structure and not put too much emphasis on the speaking itself.