How can I stop my 18 month old from screaming all the time

Question

My 18 month old daughter has started screaming. (It's good- at least she has found her voice haha). But she has this ear piercing scream! She screams when she is excited- happy- laughing- or when she is mad - angry- upset. I didn't realize it was so bad (maybe because i'm her mom and we tend to tune things out over time) until this past weekend when we were at a picnic for church and she was playing with her cousins and screamed loudly and people sitting around us started making comments.... How can I stop her from screaming like that? or correct the behavior?

Answer 1

They like hearing their voice at this age and seeing the repercussions it causes.  The best thing you can do at this point is to bring it to her attention that the screaming won't be tolerated.  Put her in time out for 1 minute.  Yes, make her sit on a chair at the table.  Tell to use inside voice and talk softly to show her what you mean.  You will have to do this at least 15 or 20 times.  Maybe more, but be persistent

it will payoff in the end.  It works, I know because this is how we did it.

Answer 2

No advice. I'm in the same boat with my 2 yr old son. If he and his sister are playing and she takes something, he screams. I tell her to give it back. but my hubby is always saying to him, " I can't wait until your voice changes" Haha. but seriously, it hurts the ears. So I'm with you. I just tell him to stop screaming.