my son(almost 1) screeches a lot and it drives us crazy, how do i get him to stop without being harsh and flicking his mouth everytime?

Bobbi - posted on 01/29/2009

I would ignore the behavior.  Any type of reaction whether it's positive or negative from you makes a 1 year old feel good simply for getting a reaction. He's not harming himself or anybody else so it shouldn't be something to discipline.

Christine - posted on 11/08/2008

Thanks Everyone for the great advice!

Melanie - posted on 11/08/2008

Ditto Terri. We love the Love and Logic approach in this house. When he screeches, calmly pick him up and pleasantly say, "Uh oh, that doesn't work here." Put him in his crib, kiss his head and tell him you will see him when he is sweet. He will quickly figure out that screeching isn't the way to communicate. Good luck!

Marissa - posted on 11/07/2008

Most babes like the sound of their own voice. My little one does this and I ignore him or talk to him. Babies this young don't understand "outside and inside" voice. They don't understand physical punishments either. They do this just to hear it. I've had 3 other boys that did the same thing.

Terri - posted on 11/07/2008

When my son was that age and expressed undesirable behavior, I would take him and put him somewhere safe (like his crib, his swing, exersaucer, something) and then I would leave the room for a minute. (They say one minute of discipline for how old they are is what they can relate to best.) He hated being separated from me and would quit doing that.

My role models weren't exactly something I want to re-enact in my life, so a lot of times I would look to books and others who were having success. I highly recommend a series called Love and Logic. We went to the park one day and (DS had a big problem with leaving anywhere) this lady told her kids it was time to go and they said ok and immediately started leaving w/out fussing. I was astonished. I asked her how she did that? It was like magic to me and she said "Love and Logic." It has really helped us.

Karen - posted on 11/07/2008

Rebbecca has it right. We did the same thing with both our boys. I have tried ignoring them...didn't work. Tried the flicking thing...didn't do anything but make me feel bad. The sign language helped. I haven't found anything that makes it STOP except time...and ear plugs :) Simple signs help though...they don't have to be standard signs either, whatever sign you make up to mean "food" "thirsty" etc. as long as they have a way to communicate before they can speak, it makes life easier for the both of you.

Jean - posted on 11/06/2008

My youngest son used to do that also. I just ignored him and for the most part he doesn't do it anymore. I agree with the other moms, I liked the one that said when he stopped she sat with him to play. Good luck!

Rebbecca - posted on 11/06/2008

what are his reasons for screeching...with my kids, ehen they were that little, I taught them to communicate with some simple sign language (please, thankyou, more...)

Tracey - posted on 11/06/2008

my boys 2 and was also enjoying the sound of his own scream.

we just ignored him wen he did. soon as he stopped, i would sit down with him 2read a book or do a puzzle. he has the odd one nowadays, we all need 2 once in a while, dont we.

Donna - posted on 11/06/2008

does he screech when he cant have something or does he just do it to get your attention,some children want your attention all the time and if they feel you are not paying them attention they will scream cry,have a tantrum,maybe if you said to him we have too hush now be quiet like a mouse I have to say that to my very loud 5 yr old,it works.x

Shem - posted on 11/06/2008

What does he get out of screeching? He wont do it if he dosent get a pay off. We had to work hard on "indoor" and "out door" voices. When my daughter was using her out door voice innapropriately we would remind her to use her indoor voice. If she continued we quit giving her any attention untill she responded the way we wanted her to. time out or social isolation is a great way to avoid the flicking. But on the same hand give your son the oppertunity to be loud in the right way. I would take my daughter to the park and insist that she use her out side voice. That way everybody is happy. Your son gets to screech when appropriate and is quiet when he should be.