International Stuttering Awareness Day takes place on 22 October. 

The day raises awareness of stuttering and encourages greater understanding and acceptance of people who stutter. 

For out-of-school childcare practitioners, it is a useful reminder that children communicate in different ways and at different paces. An inclusive club gives every child the time, space and confidence to express themselves without fear of being rushed, interrupted or judged. 

Here are a few simple ways to support children who stutter: 

• Give children time to finish what they want to say. 

• Listen to the message rather than focusing on how it is spoken. 

• Avoid finishing sentences or guessing words for them. 

• Make sure children have opportunities to contribute to group discussions. 

• Challenge teasing and help children understand that everyone communicates differently. 

Remember: children should feel able to participate without pressure to speak fluently or quickly. The same principle applies to children who use Welsh or English as an additional language, AAC, sign language or other communication methods. 

A little patience and understanding can help every child feel heard and included.