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Expert Q&A

	By Paige Brooks Curry M.A., CCC/SLP

My 3-year-old stutters when saying "I" and "you." Should I be concerned?

Children go through a phase we call "normal dysfluency" when they are around 2 or 3 years old. This time is characterized by very rapid development of language. Your child is learning so many new words it is hard for her to keep up!

Children this age are also going through a neurological process called "myelinization." This is a process that is important in motor development and coordination. It is not completed until a child is around 7 years of age. There is thought to be some possible connection between myelinization and this phase of normal dysfluency. Whatever the reason, the majority of children outgrow this "dysfluency" or stuttering so I would not be at all concerned at this time. Here are some tips on helping your child through this phase:

1. Don't call attention to the stuttering.
2. Give your child eye contact when she is talking to you.
3. Provide your child with opportunities to have one-on-one "talk time" with you. Here she can feel as if you are giving her your undivided attention and that she doesn't have to rush to "get it out".
4. Be a good model. When your child becomes dysfluent, don't speak for her. Let her finish and then repeat what she said back to her. Example: "You said you want a cookie. I'll get you one."

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