Hi friend, you have been attending or attended speech sessions to learn how to speak fluently (without stuttering / stammering, or ‘getting stuck’, or ‘getting bumpy words’).
Just like learning new skills such as swimming or playing piano, learning these new ways of speaking takes lots of practice so that you can actually do it. (It’s not much good just saying “I know I have to move my arms.” – you have to actually get in the water and swim!)
To swim well, or cycle well, or play piano well, you need even more practice so that it becomes ‘automatic’. This means you don’t have to think about where each finger or foot is, and you can do it quickly.
Do you feel frustrated, upset, or embarrassed when you stutter?
If you want to be able to talk to your friends, family and teachers easily and fluently without stuttering, you will need lots of practice too.
Do you know how fast you have to move your vocal cords, tongue and lips when you talk? Most people say more than 150 sounds per minute!
You won’t have much time to think, you really need to make your new fluent speech skills automatic!
Here are some friendly reminders on how to stop stuttering and fluent speech skills you have learnt from your speech therapist:
General Reminders
- Don’t rush to speak. It’s difficult to do anything well when you rush.
- Breathe naturally and easily so that you don’t run out of air when you talk. Sometimes people try to help and suggest you ‘take a deep breath’ – don’t overdo it!
If you find yourself stuttering, or about to stutter, remember:
- Start your voice ‘gently’.
- Think ‘slow motion’ – slow down how you move your lips or tongue.
- Is it a long word? Remember to emphasize one particular syllable, or ‘add a bounce’ to the word so that it is easier to say.
People such as singers or football players have ‘warm up’ exercises they do regularly. Here are some suggestions for ‘speech warm up’.
Speech Warm Up Exercises
- Say your ‘long vowel’ sounds a few times slowly and gently for about 1 minute.
- Read a favourite story or poem aloud. Breathe naturally and easily. Start each sentence, or line, with your gentle sounds. Keep your voice going for the sentence or line (don’t strain yourself!). Read for about 5 minutes.
- Listen to yourself as you do the above exercises. That’s how you’ll like to speak to your teacher, family and friends: fluently, easily and confidently.
People around you can help you. If you notice any words or situations you always have difficulties, tell your parents, friends, spouse or your speech therapist so that they can help you.
Be Creative and Have Fun…
That’s How Speech Practice Gets Done!
Next step: How to Stop Stuttering – Top 4 Myths and What to Do Instead.
Our Contributor
The author, Ms Magan Chen brings with her more than 30 years of speech and language therapy experience in both private hospital and enrichment centre settings. This gives us exceptional understanding of our clients’ medical and/or school needs.
She has helped more than 1500 individuals to overcome their communication or learning difficulties.
Ms. Magan Chen trained in London, U.K. (M.Sc. Human Communication) and Sydney, Australia (B. App. Sc. in Speech Pathology).
Magan is a registered Certified Practising Speech Language Pathologist (CPSP) with the Speech Pathology Australia.
She is also the founding President and a registered member of Speech-Language and Hearing Association Singapore (SHAS, the professional body representing Speech Language Therapists in Singapore.
Magan has been interviewed and featured in various newspapers and magazines such as Young Parents Magazine, The Straits Times & The New Paper.
Together with Magan, our team of competent and caring speech language therapists and teachers help hundreds of individuals improve their ability to communicate and have more say in life.
If you would like to see a highly experienced speech language therapist / pathologist for an initial consultation, please call us at (65) 6386-7532.