my son is going to be 2 in july and i just had a new baby and also have a almost 5yr old. the 2yr old has always been loud and maybe it didnt bother me as much but now with the new baby i realize just how loud he really is and it's driving me nuts. it doesnt really seem to bother the baby but i cant handle it. i dont mean he is loud when he is mad or crying it's the opposite, it's when he is playing. He just doesnt seem to understand when i tell him to be quite or try to shush him. PLEASE HELP, how do get him to be quite?
I whisper to my 2yo son and he can't help but whisper back. It's like it's contagious. : ) But only if I am being playful. If I act desperate about it (which I sometimes am), I get an emphatic, "NO!"
well, you may be trying to change something which is an inherent part of him....& what's more important: allowing him to feel free to express himself or ???
That said, all of the other posters had excellent ideas. It could be hearing, it could be his innate exuberance, it could be whispering your instructions may help.....but please be very aware that the newborn in the home could very well be the real culprit here! New babies make everything else seem like soooo much more! It may simply be that the 2yo is a 2yo......& you're noticing it more because the 5yo may be a quieter child.
My 3 yr old will sometimes turn down his volume when I physically turn down a pretend dial on his tummy. Sometimes we'll even put round stickers on his tummy and have those be his 'dials' on his robot body. "Turn down the volume robot boy" I will tell him. You could try that, or get an old remote control. Get a label maker or stickers or a Sharpie and write on it that it's "JOEY'S REMOTE" and teach him that it's time to "Play" and now it's time to "Pause" so we can change your diaper. Stick with that and every now and again teach him that you need him to turn down his volume.
Other than that, model model model. Teach him what you think loud sounds like, what quiet sounds like, and what 'super quiet' and 'silent' sound like.
"Inside" voices and "outside" voices. It will be difficult to start with, but if you are consistent in telling him "no, we have to use our inside voice" and demonstrate to him what that is (proper volume level), he will get it eventually.
Good luck.
My son turned 2 in March and has always been super loud. Since he was a baby. Is he being loud in a way that is purposeful or is it just his way of playing with "exuberance"? I have found that telling my son very calmly that his loud voice is hurting my ears worked when he was young. Almost whispering to him to remind him of this works well, because he has to quiet down in order to hear what I'm saying to him. I tried not to make it a discipline thing so that he wouldn't see being loud on purpose as a way to act out. Also, when he's watching tv, I keep the volume pretty low. That way he stays pretty quiet to listen to the show. Good luck!
Make it into the "Quiet Game" to see who can be the quietest. Use a soft, even whispering voice with him, I do this with my 26 month old, who can also be loud, especially when playing and really it does help. I also try to keep the TV and music a little lower as the louder it is the louder he seems to get.
I think it's just their joy and exuberance, but do check with his pediatrician. A hearing test could rule out any problems there so you know it's nothing to worry about, while you work on training him to soften his voice.
get his ears checked. Mine is excessively loud constantly even when playing and he has hearing issues.
What's your address? I'll send you earplugs ;)
Every time he is too loud take your open flat hand towards him and slowly lower it down, just like you would do if you were a concert conductor. Don't say anything or answer him until he quiets down. This works!!!!
In addition, when tell him there is a new "rule" in the house. No more loud voices. Put five skittles in a mason jar where he can see them. When he is too loud take one out. At the end of a half hour he get all that are left. Gradually extend the half hour to one hour. When you extend the time put in more skittles (it is only fair). You might have to start with less time depending on your assessment of his maturity. This really works too.
Make a game of being quiet. Bet him that he can't be quieter than you!
Encourage silent clapping, yelling or laughing when you are playing. My daughter is also loud by nature (as am I and my dad!) so I think she comes by this naturally! We tell her 'you are up here....(hands in the air) bring it down a little (nad move your hands lower)'. Or we'll just say "inside voice!" Or try to talk to her softer so she can mimic that.
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Is he being loud to get your attention due to the new baby. Is he irritated that you seem to be "brushing him off" by saying "shhh" all the time and maybe not mean it but indirectly saying "go away" baby is sleeping, go away "I can't hold you right now".
The most you can do is probably distract him with a game that requires less noise, but it's going to be difficult trying to get him to stop.
