Stammering Top Tips for Early Years' Providers

We’ve put together some top tips to help you in supporting children who stammer. 

The experience and impact of stammering differs from one child to the next, and so the tips that feel most helpful for some may not feel helpful to others. It is important to be aware of this when thinking about how you are supporting the child you work with.

When speaking with a child who stammers, it can be helpful to do the following:

• Ask one question at a time.
• Keep information simple and wait for them to respond.
• Use pauses, and slow the pace of your own speech. It’s best not to ask the child to slow down or take a deep breath though, as this can be frustrating for them.
• Take turns in speaking. This can help the child feel unhurried and reassured that they will have the chance to say what they wish to say.
• Avoid correcting a child’s stammer, or trying to finish their word or sentence. This helps to let the child know that you will wait for them to finish, and that what they want to say is important to you.
• Make comments on ‘what’ the child is saying, rather than ‘how’ they have said it.
• Let the child know you are actively listening, by facing them, showing eye contact, nodding and smiling as they speak.
• Consider different types of questions. Some children who stammer find it easier to give ‘Yes/No’ answers.
• Speak with the child’s Speech & Language Therapist – they will be able to share the strategies that they feel are best for supporting a particular child.

The ASC Stammer Awareness Toolkit for schools is an interactive, online resource for education professionals looking to develop an in-depth understanding of stammering and ways to create a supportive and inclusive environment for children who stammer. Although designed with schools in mind, the content is relevant to early years' practitioners wishing to gain further insights into the presentation, experience and impact of stammering. Click here to find out more and register your interest in accessing the Toolkit for your early years setting.