When your child is in the midst of a great jump in his language skills (between ages 30 months and 5 years) it's natural that he should have difficulty putting his sentences together in a fluent way. His brain is like a computer, desperately trying to pull up the right words in the right order. While the computer is "searching," his mouth may go into a "pause" (translated: repeat) mode. So it may sound like this: "Mom ... I-Mom ... I-I-want-uh-I want you-gimme dat teddy bear!" The whole word or first syllable is repeated, not the first sound. This is a normal developmental phase that most children go through. You may notice it more when your child is tired, excited, or upset.

This stumbling over words is different from a true stuttering problem (also called dysfluency or disfluency), which affects only 5 percent of children and is very unusual in toddlers. If your child is truly stuttering, he may hold out the first sound in a word, saying "s-s-s-soda," or repeat the sound, as in "Sh-sh-she nice!" He may also open his mouth to say something, but get stuck before any sound comes out. Along with this "blocking," you may see tension in his jaw or cheeks, and he may look away or clench his fist from the tension.

Children (and adults, too) tend to stutter when they're upset, uncomfortable, angry, or even just plain excited. If your child is stuttering only at these times, and the stuttering is mild, don't be in a rush to get him evaluated. If he's really struggling with blockages, however, or he hasn't improved within three to six months, speak to his pediatrician, or, if he's in preschool, with his teacher. His school may be able to refer you to an early intervention program (usually coordinated through the county or public school system) that will provide a free screening, and his doctor can refer you to a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation.

For years, it was thought that preschoolers were too young to begin formal speech therapy for stuttering — that it would only make them self-conscious. Most practitioners now feel, though, that a child with a severe stutter (usually measured in number of repeated or prolonged sounds and blocks) can benefit from early intervention. If exercises are presented as fun games, even a 3-year-old can learn strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of stuttering episodes.

You can also take steps at home. Whether your child is simply going through a normal dysfluent stage or exhibiting a true stutter, the way in which you respond is important. Keep your voice slow, soft, and relaxed — think Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. If you are a rapid staccato talker, try to slow down so your child doesn't feel the need to respond in a similar manner. Don't tell him to slow down, though — just speak slowly and he'll follow your lead. Maintain eye contact and be patient. Get on the floor and get comfortable. Smile. If you turn away and act hurried, your child will feel pressure to "get it out" and this will only make it worse. If you look frustrated, your child will pick up on this and be even more self-conscious. There is no need at this point to let him know his stuttering is frustrating or worrisome for you. For more information and resources, call the Stuttering Foundation of America at (800) 992-9392.

This web page gives parents the information they need: http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=6