SCREECHING! How do you make it stop?

[delighted.mama]

Ok, this is my second time posting a similar thread, but it is still an ongoing (and increasing) problem. DD has turned into s a screecher!! It is the one thing that TOTALLY sets my nerves on fire. She is almost 19 months old and she isn't talking too much, so I hope that some of the screeching is her way of trying to communicate. But, I really want to discourage this behaviour. For example, if she doesn't want someone to look at her, or touch her, she will simply screech. The other day, we were at my SIL and for whatever reason, dd didn't bond with SIL. I'm fine with that, but every time SIL even looked at her, dd would simply open her mouth and this god-awful screech would be emitted. It is totally embarrasing, not to mention sooooo irritating.:

When she does this, I try to get on her level and quietly tell her that we don't yell and to give her an example of how to ask/say something quietly. Sometimes she calms down. Other times, she will look at me and, it appears, purposely screech in my face. What should I do then? Walk away from her? Say it again? Be more stern? I feel that if I ignore her, then it is worse, because then she does it to be heard and to get a reaction. I try not to give her a positive reaction and, instead, simply look at her blandly, until she stops screeching. This tactic seems to be working for now. I'm jus trying to figure out if there is a better way of handling this. Is it just a phase? I picture this cherubic little toddler being a 3 or 4 year old and yelling and whining every time she wants something and I just cringe to think my child might be that way. That is one of my biggest pet peeves. Maybe I am blowing this out of proportion because I dislike such behavior to begin with.

In any case, any advice or suggestions are MUCH appreciated!!

Libby

[TaylorMade]

Sounds just like my dd who is 18 mo. She is so loud!! We have tried various things. Some work for a while, some don't. It all depends. One day, we spent a lot of time talking very, very quietly. All of us, including my other 2 dd's.

One thing that works sometimes: When she wants something, for example, she just screeches. I jump in and try to give her the words, even though she is just starting to talk. I might say, "Tell Taylor you would like to have a turn with the baby." Emily usually responds by babbling something. I hope it is teaching her to use words instead of just the horrible screeching.

LeAnn

[geekmom]

I know it really bothers you, but I would suggest you just try to ignore it. It really is develomental. My 2 toddlers LOVE screeching, but my older kids don't screech at all. When they get older you can just cock your head at them and say, "hon, please ask in a normal voice." or whatever. You won't end up with a whining, screaming 4 year old. By that age you can just explain that you don't take any requests not delivered in a talking voice.

If you can just ignore the behavior right now and know that she will grow just fine. There are so many toddler things that really just have to be waited out. They won't stop any faster with any kind of discipline. Try anything gentle ideas that you get, but then don't worry that if you don't stop it now it won't ever stop.

[delighted.mama]

Thanks for the responses!

Taylormade, I'm so glad to know that other toddlers are doing the same thing. I too try to supply the words that I think she is trying to convey with her screeching. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. I'll keep plugging away!

Geekmom, thanks for the encouragement. I definitely needed to hear that it is just a developmental phase. Even though the logical part of my brain thought so, the other side (the one that was irrationally irritated) didn't get it. I'll just grin and bear it for now until she can understand more.