Health Tip: When Children Stutter

May 8 -- (HealthDay News) -- Children who stutter can become embarrassed and anxious about speaking, which can make the situation even worse.

While speech therapy can help, a proper response from parents, friends and teachers also is very important, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency offers these suggestions:

• Try to keep the child away from stressful situations. Also, teach the child how to help manage stress.
• Make sure you allow the child plenty of time to speak.
• When you talk to the child, speak slowly and stay relaxed to encourage a similar slow, relaxed response.
• When the child starts to stutter and gets frustrated, acknowledge it and say that it's OK.