32 month old and interrupting

[PluggingAway]

I'm not sure how to respond to my toddler's pleas for attention while I'm having a conversation with another person. He learned easily to say "excuse me" instead of "mummy, mummy, MUMMY" while pulling my shirt. But now he says "excuse me, excuse me, EXCUSE ME" while somebody is trying to talk to me. I'm not sure how to acknowledge his request and ask him to wait. Sometimes he'll ask "are you done talking?" over and over again. What should I expect at this age?

[isabchi]

::

[madskye]

It's just a process--excuse me is a great start. My DD is 3.5 now, and she is just getting the "flow" of conversation.

Part of it was just growing a bit, and then we did do some role playing, where I would talk and then she would talk and then her daddy would say "excuse me" and we'd make HIM wait to talk until we had finished our sentence/conversation. She liked that!

[Sasharna]

Originally Posted by madskye

It's just a process--excuse me is a great start. My DD is 3.5 now, and she is just getting the "flow" of conversation.

This.

I find it's worthwhile at this age to stop my conversation for a moment to smile at the child and reassure him that I want to listen to him in just a few seconds when I'm finished listening to the person who is already talking.

Like the PP said, it is also helpful to show them quieter ways of saying "I want to talk!" One suggestion I've read is to ask the child to rest his hand on your knee.

I wouldn't expect results right now though. It's possible he'll pick up on these things quickly, but more likely it will happen very gradually over the next few months. (IME)

[Tjej]

You can teach your child to interrupt politely by having them place their hand on your arm or side. At first you respond immediately so they get that it is the right way to do it, then you can teach them to wait quietly with their hand on you until you look at them and ask them what they would like. It's a very respectful way for them to interrupt you (and for you to interrupt them too).

Tjej

[sapphire_chan]

My mom taught us to put a hand on her shoulder. And she said that she started by responding immediately--even when she knew we didn't actually want anything but to have her look at us. Eventually, within a few months, we'd only interrupt for important things like needing to go to the bathroom.

or I could just say : to Tjej's post.

[PluggingAway]

Great suggestions. Thank your for the reminder that it's a process. He's not quite ready for role playing or teaching him to place his hand on my shoulder and/or knee, but I will definately implement those strategies over the next couple of months.

[mumkimum]

Man, this is one of my hot buttons too. Good suggestions.

[oliversmum2000]

my dd is 3 years 3 months and she talks constantly - i guess she doesnt really interrupt as she never actually stops talking, she gives us a constant running commentary on everything and asks questions all the time...

i know i am a chatter box too so its in her genes, but i also know it can be absolutely exhausting