Consider Children Who Stutter

by Bud Lambert

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works ( Hebrews 10:24). God commands Christians to work toward gaining a better understanding of each other so that we can encourage each other toward. ove and good works. Let's consider children who stutter. The following information was obtaine, from the National Mental Health Association.
Here are some facts. Its cause is yet unknown. One child in every 100 has a stuttering problem. Three boys stutter for every girl who stutters. Stuttering almost always becomes worse when a child is anxious or upset. Stuttering responds well to treatment.
There are ways we can be a positive support. Consider the following:

1. Don't call him a "stutterer." Don't draw attention to a speech difficulty in his presence, and don't allow other children to tease him.

2. Don't make him compete. For ing him to speak in stressful situations or to compete verbally with other children is cruel an harmful.

3. Don't make him feel different. If he wants to take part in plays or other social events, give him encouragement.

4. Listen. Be relaxed and listen carefully to what the child says. It often helps to involve you and the child in an activity while you are talking to each other.

5. Don't teach him devices you've dreamed up. Don't tell him to repeat words, to slow down, to think first, to take a deep breath. Such suggestions only make a child morefware of his problem. And don't complete words or sentences for him when he's having trouble.

6. Above all, give the child plenty of understanding. He .can learn to deal with a speech difficulty if he knows he can always count on love and support from his Christian family.