Dear Ruth,

My three-year-old boy has recently started repeating words. He will say "I-I-I-I-I-I" or "Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do," getting really stuck when he tries to say a sentence. He can also talk normally. There have been no changes or special stresses in his life that we know of. What can I do? What should I do?

A.M.

Dear A.M.,

Your son may be going through a period of normal non-fluency. This is very common among young children as they begin to express themselves in more complicated language. Most of the time, early non-fluency goes away if ignored. Caution: do not bring it to his attention or allow others to do so!

Make sure to allow enough time for him to speak; do not rush him. Speak to him at a relaxed rate that is appropriate for him to copy, as he will tend to match your pace; but do not tell him to slow down. Most of all, listen carefully to his message, and be casual about the form of his speech.

If your son is concerned about his speech, or if you remain concerned, by all means seek the help of a speech/language pathologist who works with stuttering problems in children. The speech/language pathologist will decide upon an appropriate plan, if needed, and may work directly with the child, or indirectly through you.

Best Wishes,
Ruth Alice Jurey, M.S.
Speech/Language Pathologist