My son is 10 months old, and has started to scream/ screech randomly. He does it when he's happy, frustraited, mad- all the time. It's driving me nuts! How do I get him to stop? He isn't babbling as much as this is now his prefered method of communication.
Easy answer: it will pass. He's just trying something new. He will start doing something else soon. Wear ear plugs if it bothers you that much.
When our son started doing this about the same age, we taught him "low" voice. Low also has the added benefit that when done when happy it turns into chuckles & laughs. ((Try it yourself: Try smiling while doing a low voice, and smiling while doing a high voice. One turns into a laugh and the other wants to turn into a wrinkle your nose football scream.))
We also made it okay to screech (because it's good for their vocal chords to be able to practice a range)... BUT ONLY when he asked first.
We did this by doing our non-word "no" thing when he started screeching (for us that was the"Eh-Eh!" that always preceded a "no" and means STOP ... and is always followed either by a "no" or by a "like this" or a "careful"... you know that thing that all parents have that they use almost unconsciously to get their kid's attention when something dangerous is about to happen... the "warning alarm"... we also started using for undesirable behavior).
So anyhow.. the non-verbal-no, followed by "LOOOOOOOW" which we pitched into our shoes.
We'd also do the range, low to high, and have him mimic us. (great game, btw)
It took about two weeks of redirecting & modeling "Low Voice" before it superseded the screech entirely. You can be as loud as you please with low sounds... so we got to put off the volume lesson for nearly a year... when he could better understand it.
The entire thing we treated as a fun game. The screeching wasn't a game, and got constantly redirected, so soon enough it was replaced by the thing that WAS fun. While kids and babies will shoot for and repeat ANYTHING that gets a reaction, having two options where one ALWAYS gets a laugh and a smile I've noticed kids tend to start preferring over the other unless a really exciting reaction comes along with the other one. The "boring" reaction gets tossed by what's funny or exciting. So DO make a big deal out of sounds you like.
Hey K.,
Don't try to stop it. First of all you probably can't and it will just make you more frustrated. This is how he is learning to talk! Every time he does it imagine the amazing singing voice he is cultivating. Maybe he'll become a famous singer and support you in your old age.
((:
Remember our kids are their own people with talents and abilities we can't even imagine yet. Our job is to allow them to develop.
Love and light,
J.
Totally NORMAL. Don't worry. He just loves to hear the sound he is making. This ends soon enough. Just enjoy his enjoyment! When they are teens, it is opposite, quiet and sullen around you much of the time. Which will ALSO pass. Enjoy each stage. I am a grandma (of 3) now and raised 4 kids. How quickly it passes and you would do anything to hear that happy screech again!
K. C
Unfortunately, you son will stop once he has found this will get him nowhere. Check him for his needs to make him comfortable and leave him to his exploring. He will quit on his own. All three of mine did this for a short time and yes, it does drive you crazy. You will find the trigger to make him stop. Something I was told and I did was to show my children I could do the same thing. Even when they would bite another child, I would bite their arm and show them it hurt, or was annoying. Just a suggestion. It was suggested to me and it worked, however, each child is very different and an individual like every other child and adult different things will work.
As I said, this was suggested to me and it did work for me. Good Luck.
You probably give him plenty of attention when he does this so try your hardest to ignore it. Make sure he is safe, then ignore it. As someone else mentioned, they will respond and repeat the things that get them attention, good or bad attention, doesn't matter. I worked with a Behaviorist for my son with Ds and this method they taught us really works. He will have to go through the stage he is in but at least you won't inadvertently stretch it out any longer. Take a deep breath!!!
As crazy as it sounds, ignore it! I did nths when dd started it and it lasted about a week. My friends fretted and said no, got frustrated and focused on trying to get her daughter to stop and her "screech streak" lasted 5 months! Yikes! Hope this helps.
I had the same issue with my son and I read from Dr. Sears's books on the subject. He suggested each time the child screams to say to them "Inside voice" and demonstrate by lowering your voice when you say it. Repeat until child is either over the phase or picks up the lesson of quiet voice/indoor voice.
It worked for me and it was fairly simple. It did not stop over night but heck what does. ; )
