How to help a toddler realize that church is "quiet time"?

Question

My son turned 1 about 3 weeks ago. He constantly babbles, squeals, & sings in church. Just wondering how to help him realize that church is quiet time.

Fortunately, the people in my church are very understanding & tolerant of babies. I just don't want my son to get out of hand...

Any ideas??

*Even if you don't attend church, maybe you have techniques that you use at the library or other "quiet" places.

Sitting in the back is a good idea:)

Daycare is not an option-- we don't have one. We don't separate the children from the adults. As I said, the people in the church are very tolerant. I just want to calm my son down now before he gets too noisy.

Thanks for the good tips. I have started
introducing the shushing sound & gesture-- it seems to help.
"A quiet toy"--great idea.

Answer 1

with a baby that young, its hard, but you can keep them busy with coloring books, church related books, or a quiet toy. at home you should practice other quiet times and use the same hand movement (like one finger to your mouth) or the same words... have a quiet time a home, like when you read, is a great way to practice with him. i'm sure it will be awhile till he really understands...practice makes perfect :)

Answer 2

I haven't read all the responses, so I apologize if all of this is repeat advice.

Our church doesn't have a nursery (and I probably wouldn't leave them there if they did), so we've taken our girls in with us since they were born.

We usually sit near the back, but we've found that sometimes they stay quieter if we sit near the front where they can see what's going on. This works especially well if you have a choir or lots of decorations at the front of church. If something interesting is happening (procession, lighting of candles, musicians playing instruments, a baptism of a new baby, etc.), I try to point it out to them.

We always bring snacks -- pretzels, Cheerios, veggie puffs, etc. My girls often got cranky during church b/c they were hungry, and this helps tide them over until lunchtime.

We also bring "church toys" in a small bag. Now that my girls are 2 and 3 1/2, they each take a small purse with several toys of their choice in it. These are always quiet toys/books (nothing that bangs or rattles).

We don't engage them when they squeal or talk loudly other than softly shushing them. If they're playing quietly, we'll smile at them to acknowledge the good behavior.

When they were the same age as your son, we simply planned to go in and out several times during the service. My husband or I would take the noisy child to the entryway or even outside (if the weather were nice) for just a few minutes to burn off a bit of energy before going back in. Our main goal was to have the child there at the beginning of Mass and again at the end, so she would learn how things started and stopped.

Again, one year old is a bit young to really learn to be quiet, and you'll probably be taking him in and out of the service for a while longer, but as he gets closer to 2 and 3 years old, he'll start doing much better as long as you're consistent in encouraging quiet behavior.

He'll get there. :-)

Answer 3

It is a very hard thing to do but it can be done sometimes. Bring some special quiet toys that he doesn't play with any other time but at church. Have him participate as much as possible (stand to sing with people, tell him when they pray and have him join, point out things going on in a whisper tone.) Always have a drink and a well loved snack with you. Try to find a snack that is not messy. Although these things will help, the real thing is making it a habit as well as maturity of your son. He will learn how to behave in church a little more each time you attend. Be very thankful that your congregation is understanding. Give them plenty of smiles.

Answer 4

Oh my gosh! That is nearly impossible! That is why they have daycares at most churches! Obviously, at age 1, he's not going to sit there quietly, without an act of God!

Our daughter is 1 1/2 and I understand, it's very difficult to go to church these days. She doesn't like being left at the daycare, because she doesn't know those people at all. She screams and cries for mommy. So, it's definitely a challenge. We just keep trying and hoping eventually she will get used to staying in the daycare room.

Answer 5

At that age, telling them "shh" rarely works, especially during church service when everyone else is quiet. It's like they know at that particular moment to just "talk" about everything. At least your child is sitting still, mine ran up to the preacher one day. They were tolerant, as well though. Anyway, I would take any quiet toys, small books, colors and a smaller coloring book. Then again, you can sneak a couple of cheerios into his mouth. Just be sure to have the well hidden or else it could cause a dialog between the two of you.

Answer 6

With my 2 year old we take one of those crayola color wonder books to entertain him but before we go into the church service I have a talk with him (whispering to him even if we are not inside yet) letting him know that we are to be very quiet in church & we tell him what we are there for.I also tell him if can't sit still or is tired then he can go with the babies( to the nursery).We have child care at our church but I still like to keep him with us if possible so he can take in the atmosphere of a church service.At this age most toddlers like the idea of scribbling so that has him entertained for a while.I try to postpone it though til after the singing since he is entertained by the music.It takes a few weeks for them to get use to it.Good Luck!!!!!

PS .another thing I do is take him out for a few minutes(like a walk out in the parking lot or grounds) during the service. kids this age hate staying in one
place.

Answer 7

You can just practice with them. Reminding them constantly that they have to use their quiet voice but in the end, I think time is the only thing that will make them realize that they need to be quiet. My son is almost 3 and I just don't take him anywhere where he has to be quiet because he won't. I don't think we should expect more out of our kids than they can do.

Answer 8

He's only 1. I don't think you will be able to keep a 1 year old quiet. Try headphones. My son is two. When we have to go to a place where he has to be quiet I bring his electronic book that has headphones. I don't know if it would work for your son he's so young.

Answer 9

my daughter used to chat...but I would make her understand before we go to church and during that this is quiet time..Jesus is talking, so you better be quiet. If that doesnt work..try bringing him crayons and a coloring book. Or sit in the back because peoples ears are facing forward.

Answer 10

A child this young hass no idea what "quiet time" is for. He needs to be in the church nursery during services, for his sake and for your own, as well as that of your fellow church-goers.