My daughter LOVES to screech. Not scream, but an ear piercing screech. We have a hard time even going out to eat with her because she's that loud. No matter what I do to get her to stop, it's to no avail. Even to get her to listen to me for the most simplest of things is a chore. Is there any suggestions on how to get her to not screech and to listen to me? I realize she's only 11months (well, she'll be 1 yrs old June 14th), but I want to start teaching her how to behave now before it gets worse. Thanks for any help!!
Reward her when she is quiet. Ignore her when she screaches. She probably enjoys the reaction she gets.
Babies screech to get those around them to stop and pay attention.sometimes babies need reminding which voice gets a quick responce.as soon as they start to screech ,quickly distract her by saying her (name) ,you have such a wonderfull voice.be sure you use a calm voice.repeat this process in public screech sessions.and a parent can stop the screeching before it begins.say "nice voice please"(remember use a calming voice).by
practicing this the baby also learns the screech sound doesn't work.i also believe that eye contact is a help.always try to be consistant so as not to give mixed messages.
She is in a phase of self-discovery. She found something new to her and she is "playing" with it. Its a phase as long as you don't react to the screeching. She wants your reaction and if she doesn't get one she will soon get bored with it.
I don't know if this will work with screeching but if a child is generally too loud or talkative one thing to try is whispering. I also like the idea of barely speaking or just moving your mouth to "trick" them into thinking they can't hear you. They have to be quieter to hear what's going on. Might only work with older kids.
My older one went thru a whining and crying (for no apparent reason) phase. We tape recorded her and played it back. She would immediately shut up and just listen. What's the advantage you say??? VOLUME CONTROL!! Believe it or not, they get tired of hearing it, too, LOL!
As the Mother of 2 girls I am all too familiar with "the screech . The teeth loosening , headache bringing,make your hair stand on end sound that both of them mastered right around a year old , lol.
I taught my 2 that that sound was only to be used if...
A) you are broken or bleeding
B) Someone is trying to take you or hurt you
C) the house is on fire
I started by telling them the noise scares Mommy, and one day they might really be hurt,and Mommy might not pay attention if they do it all the time, ten added the others later.
She has only found a different way to voice herself. Don't make a big deal about it. she will stop soon. She will be board with that noise and find a new one. Maybe she thinks she singingor simply entertaining people.
i know exactly what your going through, my son 1 1/2, never had a cry, he just screeched, louder than i could ever imagine. It is so frustrating and there is nothing that we found to help, execpt time. he now does it maybe a few times a day but it really wasn't until he was 18 months that it leveled out. My husband and I tried everything we could think of. I don't think it has to do with behavioral issues, or that it will get worse, i think they must be wired to rather fuss and cry, they scream.
I know how "at the end of the rope" you are feeling and it can make the most pleasant moments turn to nightmares, but it will pass with a few short months and then you will forget all about it....Hang in there....
The best thing to do is teach her to scream in appropriate places. Take her outside into the yard and jump up and down and scream together as a game. Next time she begins screaming in the house, take her into the yard and repeated the screaming act. After that, whenever she starts to scream, quickly interjected in a soft voice, "only scream on the grass." Indoors, model a softer voice to her by whispering, "Give mommy your nice voice." Soon she will be able to decipher the two and hopefully stop it before it happens! Good Luck!
