How do you stop a screaming toddler that is not having a tantrum???

Question

Ok, here's the deal. We have a 2 1/2 year old and he is a very good boy. He doesn't break stuff, he rarely has tantrums, and he learns new things very well. The problem is he almost continuously screams at that blood curdling pitch we all know and love. The tricky part is that in a vast majority cases he is NOT having a tantrum nor is he upset. He just loves screaming. He screams at the TV when he sees something he likes. He screams when he hears loud voices, or something relatively exciting. Yes, he does scream when he's angry/frustrated, but it's just not the majority of the problem.

I would think it's to get attention of some sort, but I think we give him plenty of that. We're always playing, doing little activities, and having a good time. Even then he screams.

We've tried ignoring it. No good. We've tried talking to him about it. No good. We've even tried giving him a stern word about it. That helps for about 20 minutes, but certainly doesn't solve it.

We do have another baby (3 months), but her arrival didn't signify the arrival of the screaming. It's been there for a lot longer than she has. Now it's just harder to cope with in conjunction with taking care of a baby.

Please help!!!

Answer 1

When he's not screaming - work on identifying inside voice, outside voice, loud voice, soft (or whisper) voice.  Make a game of it.  When he gets the hang of it (and not before), when he begins to yell, ask him for his inside voice.  

Answer 2

My 2 1/2 year old is the same exact way.

She is excited just like we where at 2 1/2

I heard the screaming stops @ 3-4 yrs

  

Hes going to grow up to sing !

Answer 3

Time outs?  Turn off the television?  Take away the toy he's playing with?  When you do these things you have to explain that something is being taken away because he is yelling and yelling IS NOT polite.  Give in to him now and he'll just keep taking more and more.  Taking away something like time, a show or a toy signifies that he lost something because he wasn't doing as was asked of him.  When he's had his quiet time for about 5 minutes, he can have it back.  If he screams when he gets it back, take it away until the next day.  It takes a few days, but he'll get it.

Answer 4

try whispering, like you are saying something interesting and point at whatever. He will quiet down, just to hear what you are saying...

Answer 5

isolate him. try to put him somewhere where he can't be heard. Is he screaming for an extended period of time or just for a second after whatever it is startles/excites him? Let him know that you really disapprove and start punishing by taking away the things he likes when and if he continually disobeys you.  

Answer 6

My niece did the same thing. She eventually stopped on her own. She was about 3 1/2 and it was when she started to talk more and could convey her feelings in ways other than screaming. It is a phase that will more than likely pass soon. Good luck.