teaching a 3 year old not to interrupt others?

Question

My 3 year old son interrupts everybody & it's driving us all crazy! Is he just too young to understand this concept? no one can talk without him getting in their face and trying to talk to them. We've tried all sorts of things & nothing works. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Your son thinks that the world and everything in it (including you) exists for his benefit. Not only that, but his short-term memory isn't well developed, which means your child's impulse to say things right now before he forgets actually has a physiological basis. Therefore, the very concept of interrupting makes no sense to your toddler. He can't grasp that there are other people and activities that sometimes require your attention or capture your interest. This perspective also means that whatever directs your attention away from him (a phone call, for example) is by nature threatening.

You can minimize your frustration by asking friends to meet you in a place where your child can play while the adults chat. Toddlers copy enthusiastically, so take advantage of this by setting a fine example for your child. If you and your partner tend to cut each other off, work on ending that habit. Also, try not to interrupt your child when she's talking to you. Any time you forget and break in on her (or anyone else), stop yourself and apologize. Participating in polite, respectful conversation is an important step toward becoming a social human being. What's more, if you don't curb his habit of interrupting, your powers of concentration will eventually become so fragmented that you'll no longer be able to finish a thought whether he interrupts or not.

It just takes time and patience. Good luck!

Answer 2

Chances are if you tell him to wait, he will forget what he wants to say and that will even frustrate him more. I was always firm right from the very beginning. I would tell them, "Unless you are on fire, do NOT interrupt me." They got really tired of that statement and Yes, they still did interrupt, but it finally got to the point where they understood if I held up a finger, they better wait until I was done. BUT, make sure you DO ask them what they wanted or they will feel slighted. Don't make your conversation last for another 1/2 hour after you have told them to wait either, because they will think you are being rude to them and besides....you can take a break for oxygen in between a conversation and ask them what they wanted to say. Even though what they have to say might seem ridiculous to you, at that point in time, it is very, very important to them. So show a little interest in what he has to say. After a while he will be happy that you have heard him and go away and do something else.

Answer 3

Kids are developing egos and therefore they think that they are the most important thing in the world, which when you think about it is kind of nice, and probably an important early survival skill. A three year old isn't really that far away from the baby who had to cry to get what they wanted, and verbal skills are fairly new to them and when you have a new skill you want to practice it as much as possible which is exactly what your three year old and mine are doing when they interupt. They just need a lot of reminders to learn the new skill of knowing when it is appropriate to talk and when they shouldn't talk. Just be patient and gentle in your reminders as frustrating as it might be.

Answer 4

I taught my daughter the words "excuse me " When she interrupts me and says this she knows that she might be talking out of turn in and is more prepared for me to say, "I am talking to so and so, I will be right with you. " She then knows to be patient and go about her business until I can ask her what she would like to ask me or share with me. I always tell her thank you for using good manners and give her a big smile.

If your child wants to be heard so much maybe make sure after he shows respect and patience you are fully facinated with what he has to say.Then thank him for waiting his turn.

Disclaimer...I have only one 3yr old and one 11 month old. This is what is working for us and I am learning something new everyday about child rearing.

Answer 5

this is to not youthful to start learning whether that's in basic terms too youthful for them to appreciate. If that grow to be my newborn i might coach him that it is not alright to talk jointly as somebody else is conversing and if he quite needs to declare something or practice you something and you to are interior the path of a communicate than you ought to tell him to declare "excuse me" after which look ahead to a respond. this is the main you're able to do with a three 12 months outdated. you won't be able to in basic terms tell him to close up and sit down or you will bypass to day out on condition that's not the way it is going to artwork and that i understand you probably did not say that yet this is in basic terms an occasion.

Answer 6

My 3 year old does that too..but if I tell that he is interrupting...he just looks at me...."Like what?"

What works with us...is one of takes him away and answers him....but if your by yourself...we try to see what he wants...and then continue on....I am thinking that he is just learning this concept.

Good luck!

Answer 7

A three-year-old would definitely understand. Consistency is the key. When he interrupts, you say, "_____, I am talking to somebody, please wait until we are finished." When you are done with the conversation, you then go to him and say, "Okay, ____, we are finished with our conversation. You may talk now." It would also help if you taught him to use "Excuse me" if he needs to interrupt a conversation.

Answer 8

He is not too young. The first time he does it you say, "we are speaking, wait your turn". When he tries it again, you ignore him. Ignro him until you are finished with your conversation. then turn to him and say, "_____, did you have something to say? Now that you are not interrupting, we are ready to listen to you".

Be consistent. He'll get the idea.

Answer 9

tell him once that you are busy, and will talk to him when you aare done. If he keeps it up, or gets in you face its time for a time out. Put him in his room for 3 minutes, then talk to him about why he was in time out, and what he needs to do to aviod havig to go in timeout agian.