My 17 month old son has discovered he can screech this week, oh joy! He's not doing it because he wasn't something or is unhappy. He's just happily playing and starts screaming that ear piercing screech. Hubby and I have decided to ignore for now, since that has worked before with him. But, as silly as this sounds, the cat reacts and that's enough for my son to giggle and keep screeching. Obviously, the cat can't get on board with the ignoring since it's probably REALLY loud for him. But we're going to have a new baby in about a month, so I'm hoping to get this resolved somewhat by then.
I have tried having no reaction, but telling him quietly that we talk quiet inside and can scream outside. He even screeched outside once and I joined in and encouraged him, but he looked at me like I was insane. I've tried telling him that it gives our ears "owwies" when he screams so loud. Nothing, he just happily keeps screaming :P We give warnings and time outs as necessary, but try redirecting and other discipline before doing a time out. If it's just a phase, how long of a phase are we talking? haha
ha ha, I remember that phase. I would call my daughter a monkey because she sounded exactly like a screaming monkey! I think it lasted a couple months or so.
THis is the beginning of language. Most of us have gone through it. Girls are usually worse than boys.
Be patient, this too will pass.
I would keep telling him to use an indoor voice inside when he screeches. Eventually the cat will either avoid him or ignore it.
Ugghh... I'm dealing with this with my 15 month old... unfortunately, my almost 3 1/2 year old joins in the game as long as we're not out in public.... It stops eventually, or so I've heard... :)
