Screaming

[Anonymous]

Omg please help
What do you do for a kid who constantly screams? Like bloody murder screams.

It’s been going on for a few weeks and we are 99.9999% nothing is wrong. We’ve tried gentle redirection, ignoring, telling her our ears hurt, talking to her, etc.

[Anonymous]

Ear plugs to reduce your reaction. Calm firm "No" (shake head no.) "Hurts ears" (hands over your ears.) Then, walk away.

Can take a few months unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

How old?

[Anonymous]

Really depends on the age but in general remember kids react to attention - negative or positive. Ignore when she is screaming (don’t make a big reaction, just say no screaming please) and be positive when she isn’t (you asked for that so nicely, thank you for using your words, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old?

She’s 3.5 🫤

[Anonymous]

Plunk her in her room and tell to come out when she is done.

[Anonymous]

It depends on why she is screaming. Is she mad, or excited, or just thinks it is fun? To redirect the behavior, you have to analyze the function of the behavior. If it’s just for fun or due to excitement, I’d pick her up and put her on her room every time, immediately.

If she’s upset, she needs help with coping skills. I would not ignore a kid in crisis or one who is truly upset, so then you have to anticipate the screaming and teach her to substitute alternate behavior that is not so loud. She’s found this gets her feelings out and gets people to pay attention. See if you are sure you are responding to her bids for attention when she isn’t screaming.