How to Help with Non-Fluent Speech

Slow down your own rate of speech and include more pauses in your talking so that the child feels less rushed. Don’t try to anticipate what the child is saying and complete his/her sentences Modelling a slow speech rate is much more helpful than telling a child to ‘slow down’.
Try not to interrupt the child when s/he is speaking. Give the child time to finish what s/he is saying and don’t allow him/her to interrupt you either.
Maintain good eye contact. Do not look away when s/he stammers.
Try not to ask the child multiple questions. Give time for him/her to respond.
Show the child that you are interested in what s/he is saying and not how s/he is saying it, by listening and attending to the child.
Don’t try to anticipate what the child is saying and complete his/her sentences.
Try to avoid a hectic environment. Children who stammer respond well to routines and structured environments.
If the child gets particularly stuck, it may be helpful to acknowledge this but in a positive way e.g. “That was a hard word but well done you for trying”.
Particularly for older children, it may help to reduce the child’s anxiety about talking in a group by giving him/her their turn at the start or near the beginning of an activity.

NHS Lanarkshire