Joanna Fortune: My child has a stammer — what can I do to help?

Sometimes it seems like a toddler's thoughts are moving faster than their capacity to string words together and they can 'trip' over the words

Stuttering or stammering is not uncommon in children between the ages of 2-5 years old as they are learning more words and trying to link their thoughts with stringing words together

About two months ago, my three-year-old daughter developed a mild stammer. When I ask her to slow down, the stammer disappears; otherwise, she can find it difficult to get the words out. I had a stammer growing up but grew out of it. Is there something I can do to help her?

Note: I am not a Speech and Language Therapist so if you are concerned beyond how I answer your question please seek immediate referral for a speech and language assessment.