Stuttering is an involuntary repetition, prolongation or blockage of a word or part of a word that a child is trying to say. Stuttering affects four times as many boys as it does girls. And, while there are no miracle cures, there are steps parents can take to assist their stuttering youngsters.

Many pre-schoolers stumble over their words as they're learning to talk. Syllables or words repeated once or twice can be normal development between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. A child with a mild stutter, on the other hand, may repeat sounds more than twice, and show signs of tension and struggle around the face and mouth while attempting to speak.A youngster with severe stuttering will stutter throughout 10 percent of his speech, express considerable effort and stress while talking and alter his speech patterns to avoid stutter-inducing words.

No one knows for sure why children stutter. Youngsters who stutter are as intelligent and well-adjusted as their non-stuttering classmates. Research has shown that such commonly blamed events as anxiety, moving, starting school or excessive excitement have no role in the development of stuttering.

Yet there are well-known factors that aggravate stuttering. Finishing children's sentences, interrupting them while they are talking, encouraging rapid speaking or maintaining a hectic lifestyle all hinder the speech patterns of an already stuttering tot, and increase the likelihood that stuttering will continue.

What can you do to help your stuttering child? Follow these suggestions provided by the Stuttering Foundation of America:

- Listen patiently to what your child says, not how it is said. Focus on the content. Understand the meaning and support his efforts at communication, no matter how long it takes to say the words.

- Allow youngsters to finish their thoughts without interrupting.

- Keep natural eye contact while your child is talking. Avoid staring. But do gently let your tot know you're willing to wait.

- Avoid filling in or speaking your child's thoughts or ideas. Let the words beher own, even if they take a little longer to be expressed.

- After your child speaks, reply slowly and unhurriedly, using some of the same words. For instance, it he says, "I like to play baseball," respond, "You do likebaseball, don't you."

- Wait a second or so before responding to tots' words. This encourages calm, relaxed communication, and helps your child gather his thoughts before talking.

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- Spend at least five minutes each day devoted to talking with your child in an unhurried, easy, relaxed manner. Taking a walk, coloring, cooking, reading stories, or building models all provide great opportunities to chat and share warm feelings.

- Find ways to show your child that you love and value her and that you enjoy your time together. Support her strengths. Since talking is difficult for her, explore other ways you can praise her and let her know she's fantastic. You'll not only be boosting her self-esteem, you'll be directing her attentions toward positive, successful areas.

For more information about stuttering, talk to your child's pediatrician or a qualified speech therapist, or contact the Stuttering Foundation of America at 1-800-992-9392.

(Linda Lewis Griffith is a marriage and family counselor. Her new book, "Guide to Your Parenting Concerns", is available from Kindred Books, P.O. Box 4818, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403, for $15, plus $2 shipping. Or call 800/664-BOOK.)

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