Time to reach for the earplugs again. Whatever’s happened, the shouting has begun. Even if it’s the tiniest thing, your little one is determined to let the entire world know about it! From screaming down the house to raising the sound levels in an otherwise ordinary conversation, this is getting too loud. How can you decrease the volume?

Children can be loud, and that’s perfectly normal. But sometimes the noise can be a bit too much, especially if the loudness is followed through with anger and insults. It’s a difficult phase in a child’s development, and one they must learn to overcome, otherwise it might hurt their social interactions in later childhood.

Thankfully, there are lots of strategies and solutions to help children move past this behaviour, which will in turn give you a quieter home life!

What are the signs my child is getting too noisy?

Here are the 4 key signs that your child is developing noisy habits in their communication:

They shout loudly and frequently.

They habitually shout demands, rather than clearly communicate.

When told “no”, they scream, sometimes leading to full-blown tantrums.

Even in normal conversation, they maintain loud noise levels.

So now that we’ve identified the main behaviours associated with shouting and screaming, let’s look at why children can develop these habits.

Why is my child constantly screaming?

These are the 7 main reasons why children shout and scream to communicate.

They often feel a sense of frustration and defensiveness in everyday conversations.

A need for attention. They might fear being forgotten, and so makes their presence known through shouting.

They might have sensory issues and genuinely not know they are screaming.

They might have a fear of transitions, to the point where they don’t know how to communicate this so they resort to shouting.

They might not have the tools and strategies needed for healthy communication.

Their ‘go-to’ response is to react with tantrums and loud noises to get their point across.

They might know that screaming can trigger a big response in the parent, and does it to increase attention and interaction.

This is something most kids encounter in their childhood, and a lot of parents have experienced this, so you're not alone! Now that we know the reasons behind the behaviour, let’s look at how we can guide our little ones towards quieter habits.

What strategies can I use to stop my child from shouting?

We’re going to cover the top 6 strategies used to help children stop shouting and screaming:

Your child may be screaming in reaction to changes and transitions. Consider accommodating or moving the timing of activities around to better suit your child. Letting them know the routine of the day can help alleviate their stress and anxiety, lessening the chance of screaming sessions.

Think about the general noise level of the house. Children often follow their environment. Keep noise levels low and monitor your own noise level. Lead by example, and your child can follow suit!

It can help to play calming classical music, which will help to create a low-stress environment.

If your child is shouting for attention from a distance, or from another room, a great technique is to pretend not to hear them. They may immediately realise that if they want your attention, they will have to come to you. If needed, you can casually pass by their room, comment that you heard a noise and ask if they need help. This shows your child that you’re not being summoned at will.

State clearly that you can’t hear them because they're being too loud. When they quieten down, only then address their problem. Take your time, and let them reduce the noise levels.

After the shouting has decreased, explore your child’s feelings. Ask how they felt in the moment, and why they were shouting to get their point across. You’d be surprised how honest and insightful children can be! Once you’ve found the core reason for their screaming, you can directly address how to fix it. If your child is feeling afraid that you’ll forget they’re around, you can reassure them that they’re unforgettable, even when you can’t see them!

How do I stop my child from screaming and shouting?

Unii shares how to get your little one to calm down.