3 year old has developed a stutter suddenly

[JoshandJamie]

My 3 year old son suddenly seems to have developed a stutter. Literally, it started this weekend. Nothing major has happened in his life - he did have an older boy round to play and they ended up getting into quite a few fairly rough spats. But am not sure if that's what's prompted it.

He doesn't do it all the time and I'm sure that it's just behavioural/attention seeking. But am not sure what to do about it. Assume I just ignore and keep watch in case it worsens but is this a normal phase that they go through?

[NoNickname]

My ds (3.4) also recently developed a stammer/stutter. It was about a month or two ago, and it lasted for about a week or two (sorry for being so vague). Like you, I couldn't particularly think of anything that may have prompted it. I searched the messages on MN and found that for many it was a phase.

This seemed to be the case for us. The stammer has vastly improved, and I rarely notice it now, although it does sometimes materialise if he is very tired.

I also found the information on the British Stammering Association website very useful - there's a section for pre-schoolers.

[JoshandJamie]

Thanks for that. I had a look at the site and will try to use some of their tips. I hope it is just a phase but would be interested to hear from any other mums who have gone through the same thing with their child.

[pointydog]

There have been threads on this beofre J&J and it is a fairly common thing among 2 and 3 year olds. Dd1 had it really badly for a few weeks.

Can happen when their language skills are improving rapidly but their mouths can't keep up with their brains.

Try to ignore it and see if it improves in a month or so.

[MellowMa]

Message withdrawn

[Brandyanddietcoke]

Hiya, I started a thread like this a few months back. My Dd is 2 and developed a stutter, which lasted for about 2 weeks, it went and then came back again a few weeks ago, its gone again now.

I have a tendency to worry over everything and so I was online reading/posting everything I could about it. I also asked my HV when DD had her 2 yr check. And it seems that it is pretty normal. Like a little growth spurt where their mouth can't function as fast as their little brains! The general advice is to ignore it (ie: dont make a big deal out of it to or around child) and also listen attentively to them, so they dont feel like they have to rush their words.

[ArcticRoll]

My ds startered stammering at similar age.
Lasted for a few months then suddenly stopped.
Think it is very common at this age.

[JoshandJamie]

THanks all - very useful advice

[Twiglett]

ignore it
don't finish her sentences for her
let her get it out


it will pass (perfectly normal stage of development .. brain works quicker than mouth)

[smugmumofboys]

My DS1 (nearly 5) has had this on and off for a couple of years now. We were referred by super keen HV to a Speech Therapist who told us it's called 'normal non-fluency' and as everyone else has said, it's really common at this age (anywhere between 2 and 7). The advice we were given was not to make any comments about it and don't be tempted to finish their sentences for them. It will pass of its own accord, may come back again etc. Hope this helps.

[willywonkasEgghunt]

Dd developed a stammer when she was 3 too and as with others, it went on for a few months before disappearing by itself. Seemed to be that her brain was working in overdrive and her mouth was simply unable to keep up!! I do remember mentioning this to my Mum at the time though because it's naturally worrying to any parent. Hope this work out OK