Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges. It grows from strength, hope, and self-compassion—and parents can play a big role in helping children develop it. For kids who stutter, resilience can be especially valuable for coping with communication struggles and building independence.
Even in the most supportive schools, children who stutter may face difficulties. A positive home environment helps prepare them. The most powerful tools parents can offer are listening and empathy. When a child feels truly heard, they feel validated and know their voice matters. For example, if your child stutters while telling you an exciting story, try to focus on their message and share their joy, rather than interrupting with advice about stuttering. Many parents feel frustrated when their child doesn’t want to open up about stuttering. However, even if your child doesn’t take you up on it, knowing that you periodically give them space to share about stuttering is a very powerful thing.
Resilience also grows through confidence and a positive outlook. You can support this by:
By creating a safe, supportive space at home, parents can help children who stutter feel strong, confident, and ready to face challenges.
Who is in your child’s village? Creating a team of people surrounding your child that “get” stuttering is essential. This team should include family members, friends, teachers, etc. Importantly, you and other adults in a child’s world can be role models for resilience. Take time to consider how you respond to hard situations. Can you show patience and empathy to others? Can you find the positive when things don’t go as planned? Can you be okay with your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions?
Your children will see these things in you, and it will help them to better understand themselves as they go to school and develop into independent young adults.
Resilience doesn’t have to do with how much a person stutters. It’s about knowing that you are capable and good enough as you are – no matter how much you do or do not stutter.
Growing up and going to school can be a challenge for any child who stutters. But by building a community of support, understanding your administrative options for support in schools (as with an IEP or 504 Plan), and most importantly, by fostering confidence and resilience at home, your child will be in a position to thrive and to be their best self.
SAY’s mission is to empower, educate, and support young people who stutter and the world that surrounds them. Reach out to us with any questions or concerns about stuttering and how to support children who stutter in any setting.
