Pacing and Fluency: Finding Your Rhythm
How to control your speaking rate for smoother communication.
Fluency is the smooth, forward flow of speech. Issues with fluency, such as stuttering or cluttering, often involve a disruption in the rate and rhythm of speaking. A key strategy for improving fluency is to work on pacing. Many people who struggle with fluency tend to speak too quickly, which can exacerbate disfluencies.
Practice speaking at a deliberately slower rate. You can use a metronome or tap your finger for each syllable to establish a steady rhythm. This technique, called "syllable-timed speech," helps regulate your pace and reduces the feeling of being rushed. Another effective technique is "easy onset," where you begin words that start with a vowel with a gentle, soft voice. This can help prevent the hard blocks that often occur in stuttering. It's also important to manage breathing. Taking calm, diaphragmatic breaths before you speak can help relax your body and support your voice, leading to smoother speech.