My Kindergarten Child Is Stuttering — Do I Need to Worry?

Lori Melnitsky
Feb 3
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

By Lori Melnitsky, MA, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist | Stuttering Specialist All Island Speech & Stuttering Therapy

For more information about stuttering and to hear real case studies, check out my podcast Stuttering Demystified and Beyond.

If you’re noticing stuttering in your kindergarten child, you’re not alone.

This is one of the most common questions parents ask me — and it’s a question I understand deeply, both professionally and personally.I’m a speech-language pathologist who specializes in childhood stuttering, and I stutter myself. My father stuttered, and my daughter went through a period of stuttering as a young child.So when parents reach out feeling worried, unsure, or scared about stuttering in kindergarten, I don’t just hear the question — I feel it.

What Does Stuttering Look Like in Kindergarten and Early Elementary School?

Stuttering in young children can look different from one child to another. Parents may notice:- Repeating sounds or syllables- Repeating whole words or short phrases- Stretching sounds- Brief pauses where a child seems momentarily “stuck”Stuttering is often more noticeable when children are excited, tired, or trying to say something important. It can also come and go, which is common with developmental stuttering.

Is Stuttering Normal for Kindergarten-Aged Children?

In many cases, yes.Kindergarten and early elementary years are a time of rapid language growth. Children are learning new vocabulary, longer sentences, and more complex ideas. Sometimes their thoughts move faster than their speech system, leading to periods of stuttering.In my own family, I’ve seen how early stuttering can be part of development without defining a child’s future.

When Should Parents Seek Speech Therapy for Stuttering?

While early stuttering is often developmental, additional guidance from a speech-language pathologist may be helpful if parents notice:- Stuttering lasting longer than 6–12 months- Visible struggle, tension, or physical movements while talking- Frustration, avoidance, or reduced confidence when speaking- A family history of persistent stuttering- Concerns raised by teachers or caregiversSeeking a stuttering evaluation does not mean something is wrong. It means you want clarity and support.

What Parents Can Do at Home to Help a Child Who Stutters

Supporting a young child who stutters often starts with changing the communication environment, not correcting speech.Helpful strategies include slowing your own speaking rate slightly, reducing rapid or back-to-back questions, allowing your child time to finish their thoughts, responding to what they say rather than how they say it, and spending short periods of relaxed one-on-one time together.

What Parents Should Avoid When a Child Stutters

Avoid telling your child to slow down, correcting speech, finishing sentences, or showing visible worry during moments of stuttering.Children who stutter are highly sensitive to adult reactions. Calm, supportive responses help protect confidence and communication.

What Does Speech Therapy for Stuttering Look Like in Kindergarten?

Speech therapy for stuttering in young children is often indirect, parent-focused, play-based, and centered on communication confidence rather than fluency drills.

Virtual and In-Person Stuttering Support for Families

I work with families in person and through virtual speech therapy. I currently support parents of children who stutter in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, and Connecticut.

Next Steps for Parents

If you are wondering whether your child needs speech therapy for stuttering, you don’t have to decide everything right away.

I offer parent consultations, stuttering evaluations for young children, and individualized support focused on confidence and communication.

Visit www.allislandspeech.com to