It’s completely understandable to wonder whether your child’s stuttering is just a phase that will resolve on its own. For many children, stuttering is a temporary part of early speech and language development. For others, it will persist. While research can’t yet predict who will recover naturally, early support can make a meaningful difference, helping your child communicate more confidently and with less effort.

No. Stuttering is no one’s fault. It is a neurodevelopmental condition, and while genetics can play a role, parenting style or specific events do not cause stuttering. The most important thing you can do is provide a supportive environment for your child to communicate.

There’s a lot you can do to support your child. Give them time to finish their thoughts, and focus on what they’re saying rather than how they’re saying it. If they’re finding it hard to get their words out, gently reassure them that you’re listening and that it’s okay to take their time. A consultation with a speech pathologist experienced in stuttering can offer tailored strategies based on your child’s individual needs.

If you’re concerned, it’s worth seeking advice. A speech pathologist with experience in stuttering can help you decide whether your child would benefit from therapy now or if it’s better to monitor. Early support doesn’t always mean starting therapy straight away, but it gives you a plan.

It can, but with the right support, it doesn’t have to. Children who feel accepted and understood are more likely to develop resilience and confidence. Speech therapy often includes support for emotional wellbeing as well as speech fluency.

It is common for stuttering to fluctuate. Factors like fatigue, excitement, or anxiety can make stuttering more noticeable. Similarly, there are situations where stuttering may reduce or even disappear - such as when a child is singing, whispering, or using a ‘play voice’. Stuttering can also stop for a period of days, weeks or months, and then return.

Some disfluency is normal in early speech development but this is different from developmental stuttering. A speech pathologist can help you tell the difference. True stuttering often involves repetitions of sounds or syllables, stretching out sounds, or moments when no sound comes out at all (blocking).

Many children do recover naturally, but research can’t reliably predict who will. What we do know is that early support can make a positive difference. If your child has been stuttering for more than a few months, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice to help guide the next steps.

Yes. When teachers are aware of stuttering, they can better support your child in childcare, preschool, or school. Understanding and small changes in the classroom can go a long way in helping children who stutter feel confident, included, and heard.

Stuttering itself doesn’t cause learning difficulties, but some children may also experience challenges in other areas of communication, such as language or literacy. A comprehensive assessment can help identify difficulties and guide the best way to support your child’s learning and development.