My 3 and a 1/2 Year Old Started Stuttering

I'm no expert, but both of my kids and many of the kids I know went through stuttering phases.
It's usually when their little brains work faster than their mouths.
Trying to get them to slow down and breathe and let them know you're patient works pretty well.
You can try intervention programs. I'm not against them, but just the little things can make a difference. None of the kids I knew who "stuttered" continue to do so. It was just a thing.

But, if you are really concerned, have it evaluated.

My child had the same issue for over a month at about age 2; my husband and i were concerned. She spoke early, in sentences at about 15 months and had a strong vocab by 2. I talked to her Pedia. at the time and he said it is not unusual and is often a developmental thing in 2-3 yr olds. Told me if it was not gone in 4-6 months he would recommened we have someone see her. It passed just as he said it would. He did suggest that we not try to finish her words for her just to encouage her to speak slower. He said at this age a young child knows what they want to communicate, but their little brains are not fully developed and often they can't always get the words out properly. My Dad is a retired Pediatrician too and he told me the same thing. Funny thing, our girl is a teenager now and a real talker, she has never experienced stuttering again after this incident.
You are a good mom to be concerned!

PS there are other posted answers on this topic, even some this month, you may want to ck them out.

Is it ACTUAL stuttering "m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-mommy come l-l-l-l-l-l-l- SEE this"

Or partial/whole word "stuttering" (which isn't) "mom-mom-mom-mom-mom-MOMMY come look at this!"

The partial word thing is normal, natural, and common. It's caused by 1 of 2 things. Either her mind is racing ahead of her mouth, and she has to catch up (later on, the partial word will be replaced with the UBER irritating "ummmmmm") OR she's feeling rushed/nervous (usually by feeling like she has to talk quickly or will lose her "audience" or by adults being impatient). The whole "spit it out" or "hurry up" is the WORST thing you can say/attitude when this happens. It makes the problem worse and more frequent.

The way to combat partial word stuttering is to ignore the world, get down on eye level, smile, and say "I'm listening" both verbally and with body language (eye contact, smile, etc.).

The partial (or whole) word repeat thing has a clinical name I always forget (my godmother is a speech pathologist). It is VERY different from real stuttering, but most parents just hear the repeat and think "stutter".

If it's a REAL stutter, she'll need intervention. If it's the partial or whole world thing she'll grow out of it as she gets increased confidence.

My daughter started stuttering when she was around 3 and a half. She just turned 5 this past week. She still stutters occasionally. It is not constant anymore. She has been evaluated and they said it was normal developmental stuttering which I guess is different from lifelong stuttering. My nephew was also evaluated he stared at about age 2 and he will 4 soon, and he hardly stutters at all anymore. My daughter is taking longer apparently but I was told it is still normal even though she just turned 5. I would say the first year was bad and then it decreased over the past 6 months. It is hard and painful to watch. But knowing it is normal really helps.

Not unusual at all for toddlers/preschoolers!

All 5 of my kids have done that from one extreme to another over the years. They age between 23 - 5. Two of my children have had speech therapy and have been told through the years through many therapists and doctors that it's not unusual either. Their brain is learning faster than their mouth can talk and they get stuck, some kids more than others. It got pretty bad with my daughter for a while, and she was the earliest and clearest speaker compared to my other 4.

It is concerning but I was told to not drawn attention to it with worry. Just gently ask them to stop and take a breath and if they still stammer out the words just be patient and wait. It is not true stuttering. There's a name for this but I forget what it is. You can have EI check her but you'll more than likely get the same response, that it's not unusual. But better to check than not.

No worries!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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*I wanted to add that my kids speech therapy was not because of stammering. I meant that I was talking with them about childhood stammering and they eased my mind as well.

I am an adult stutterer. Everyone said I would grow out of it, even though we do have stuttering in my family. I did not grow out of it. That said, MOST children grow out of their stutter. If you are concerned, then by all means see a speech pathologist.

Don't finish her sentences, give her lots of time to speak, don't rush her. Don't let anyone tease her, if you can. Most likely she'll be just fine. But, please, if she continues to stutter past the "growing out of it age," please seek therapy with a good therapist (not necessarily with the school speech therapist).

I would say call the pediatrition J. to run it by, it could never hurt, also from what I've read on it its very normal, I'm a big dr sears website fan, he has an article on it and what to do about it
http://www.parenting.com/article/Baby/Development/Ask-Dr-...

You might want to read "Your three year old" by Louise Bates Ames PhD. Apparently stuttering at 3 1/2 is a common, normal thing. It is usually nothing to worry about. It's one of the ways they might express their 3 1/2 year old anxiety (other forms are nose picking, nail biting, thumb sucking, tics, etc.) The book recommends not doing anything about it. Not saying "slow down", not really acknowledging it. If you just kind of ignore it then it goes away sooner. If after a while, like a year, it doesn't go away then you might want to start looking into it more. Don't worry, and I hope it gets better soon!