3 Simple Ways to Encourage Self-Kindness in Young People Who Stutter

Self-kindness is a powerful tool that can help everyone navigate life's challenges with more ease. This is especially true for young people who stutter, as it fosters emotional well-being and confidence. By nurturing self-compassion, we can help children embrace stuttering and feel more secure in their experiences. As caregivers, SLPs, and teachers, we can guide young people toward speaking to themselves with the same kindness they offer to others. Let's explore how self-kindness can be vital in supporting their journey.

What Is Self-Kindness?

Self-kindness is about offering yourself the same compassion, care, and understanding that you would extend to a close friend. It involves acknowledging that it's okay to face challenges and giving yourself permission to make mistakes without harsh self-criticism. Think of it as a way to give yourself a mental hug during tough times, a reminder that you are worthy of patience and kindness.

For young people who stutter, self-kindness can help reframe challenging experiences, encouraging gentle self-acceptance and acknowledging that stuttering is a part of their unique way of communicating.

Why Is Self-Kindness Important for Young People Who Stutter?

Research from Croft and Byrd (2020) found that self-compassion—encompassing self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness—has a direct and positive impact on how individuals experience stuttering. When young people who stutter cultivate higher levels of self-kindness, they may feel more confident communicating, engaging in social settings, and navigating daily speaking situations with greater comfort.

Sometimes, reactions from listeners, such as impatience or misunderstanding, can make communication feel more difficult. However, with self-kindness, young people can stay connected to their sense of self-worth, knowing that their value isn’t defined by fluency. Encouraging this mindset can help them feel more at ease and supported, contributing positively to their overall well-being.

How Can Caregivers, SLPs, and Teachers Encourage Self-Kindness?

Helping young people who stutter develop self-kindness is key to supporting their emotional well-being. By encouraging positive self-talk, accepting emotions, and modeling self-compassion, you can create a supportive environment where children feel empowered to be kind to themselves. Here are three practical ways to nurture self-kindness:

• Practice Positive Self-Talk: Positive self-talk helps young people reframe their inner dialogue, turning self-criticism into encouragement. By teaching them to affirm themselves, they can build confidence and self-acceptance.

  • Encourage affirmations: Remind young people to say kind and encouraging things to themselves, just as they would to a friend. For example, they could say, "It's okay to stutter," or "I'm proud of myself for saying what I wanted to say."

  • Challenge negative thoughts: Help them identify and challenge negative thoughts about their stuttering. They could say, "I'm having a thought that is not kind about myself."

• Label and Accept Emotions: Naming and accepting emotions helps young people better understand their feelings, allowing them to process their emotions in healthy, constructive ways.

  • Name the feelings: Help children identify and label their emotions without judgment. This can be as simple as saying, "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated right now."

  • Normalize emotions: Let them know that it's okay to feel a range of emotions, including frustration, sadness, or anger.

  • Teach coping strategies: Help them learn healthy ways to cope with their emotions, such as deep breathing, taking a break, or talking to a trusted adult.

• Model Self-Compassion Exercises: Self-compassion exercises help children learn to be kind to themselves during challenging times, fostering a mindset of self-acceptance and care.

  • Imagine comforting a friend: Ask young people to imagine how they would comfort a friend who was feeling down. Then, encourage them to use those same words of comfort for themselves.

  • Practice mindfulness: Teach mindfulness techniques, like deep breathing or focusing on the present moment. These practices can help reduce stress and promote self-awareness.

  • Explore stories of kindness and self-compassion: Read stories highlighting stories of kindness and compassion. This can help young people see themselves reflected in the characters and learn how to practice self-kindness. Here are three of our favorites:

    • Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller

    • The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

    • Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hische

For young people who stutter, self-kindness is more than just a concept—it’s a powerful practice that can change how they perceive themselves. As we celebrate World Mental Health Day, let’s commit to fostering environments of self-compassion where every child can feel supported, understood, and valued for exactly who they are.

Want to learn more? Check out our Instagram for practical advice and additional blog posts on nurturing emotional well-being in young people who stutter.

Croft, R. L., & Byrd, C. T. (2020). Self-Compassion and quality of life in adults who stutter. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(4), 2097–2108. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00055