He screams with glee, frustration, happiness, when he wants something, when something is taken away, even at the dog. I think he enjoys it. But my eardrums don't. He is my 4th child...I should know how to conquer this...but none of my other kids were screamers. If you firmly tell him "no"...he cackles off laughing hysterically.
2006-08-13 11:21:48 · 13 answers · asked by rcpaden 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You could get off the computer and pay attention to him... JUST KIDDING!!!
No, really, as much as it sounds impossible, ignore the screaming. Distract him. Play with him. Change his environment (to outside, upstairs, other room), but don't react to the screaming. He screams because it WORKS. If it stops working, he'll stop. May take a long time, but he needs to use a different method to get attention, and you can teach him to by not reacting to the unacceptable behavior, and teaching him what he should do instead in order to get your attention.
2006-08-13 11:43:05 · answer #1 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does you 20 month old speak? He should speak some words by two that others can understand.
If not, he may be screaming as a way to communicate his needs and wants.
Try OWL Observe, Wait, Listen to encourage speech.
When he screams, observe what is around, what is stimulating, what his facial expressions are, etc...
Wait for at least 10 seconds before reacting to his scream.
Listen for another scream or gurgle or blabber that may be a word trying to get out.
You will be surprised at the clues you may get. Then try to solve the mystery and suggest a word. If he is screaming at the dog, repeat the word "dog".
Another thing to try would be baby signs.
2006-08-13 14:39:28 · answer #2 · answered by The Toy Lady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignore it as much as possible - any attention, even negative, affirms what he is doing. Other than that, it is a phase, I promise. He will not be doing this when he goes to Kindergarten. I have several friends and acquaintances whose children went through this (thankfully this one missed me:) and it took about 2-3 months.
You probably already know about this if you have four kids, but www.parents.com is the website for parents magazine and is a GREAT resource for things like this. (BTW - your 2 year old is SO not oppositional defiant because he laughs when you tell him "no". This is frustrating, but normal!)
Good luck!
2006-08-13 11:28:37 · answer #3 · answered by davis0375 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IGNORE him!!! Be consisten on your dicipline. I have a almost 3 year old that screams like that but since we have tried new methods of dicipline it is getting a little quieter. He does have a speach problem that makes him frustrated b/c he can't communicate so he screams all the time. We have been using a naughty chair adn it has helped.....We have learned comsistencey. Good luck and get some earplugs!
2006-08-13 12:15:40 · answer #4 · answered by T G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get some Jack Daniel's. No, no, no, not for the kid...FOR YOU!!!!
Seriously, you need to stop that laughing after being told no or you will have problems. Corporal punishment has always seemed to work well (you don't have the beat the kid, just tap his cheeks or bum). Time out does not work (it's teaching kids that you can stop during the day and reflect...that's not practical in the real world!) and may cause more defiance.
It sounds as if your son has oppositional defiance behavior. Ask you pediatrician.
2006-08-13 11:30:16 · answer #5 · answered by Obama, 47 y/o political virgin 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not to be insensitive to your feelings, but maybe get some ear plugs because you can't change his personality! Some kids are squealers and it is their personality coming out! He will be extroverted and very outgoing as he grows up :) I hope you get used to it before it really drives ya nuts. I am the mother of a two year old so I can empathize with you somewhat. Good luck.
2006-08-13 11:29:51 · answer #6 · answered by ouisy_01 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Spank him--but only when he's doing it because he's angry or or when he wants something. When he's doing it out of happiness, laugh along with him. You need to let him know that it's not okay to scream when you are upset, but it is okay to show emotion when you are happy. Don't worry, he'll grow out of the "screaming when he's happy" soon after that so it won't be a lifelong thing for him.
2006-08-13 11:24:50 · answer #7 · answered by BeeFree 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
we used to sing the abc's really loud over my sister's screaming, when she was that age...she'd usually stop after a minute or so to figure out what we were doing.
2006-08-13 11:30:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he found a way to get attention.
Praise him when he's quieter. Ignore him when he's screaming.
2006-08-13 11:28:26 · answer #9 · answered by cowgirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine does the same...she thinks it is funny...don't think there is much you can do, except laugh and have screaming contests...that's what I do...hehe
2006-08-13 11:25:43 · answer #10 · answered by yoohoosusie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋