My kid has been doing this for a couple weeks, however it's just recently getting really bad. I honestly feel like my ears are going to start bleeding.
Can I correct this? Does he even understand no yet? My MIL says he's just learning his voice, but I honestly can't take it. Sometimes he just does it over and over and over again. (It's a fun thing for him, he is not needing anything at all)
Re: Shrieking
Mmmm...cake!
LO has been doing that too. I do my best to tolerate it -- I know it can get a little out of control at times though. I'm finally learning that for my LO, the shrieking is "fun talk" for a few minutes, but then it sometimes escalates into more frequent and longer, and that's when he needs a change of scenery. I either move him to a different activity or start thinking about a snack or a nap, etc..
I'm not entirely sure if we're getting close to a developmental age of learning cause and effect -- maybe a little young yet , but I guess if our LO's know how to use musical toys and such then we're getting close. With a child that can understand some cause and effect, it's a good time to start "ignoring" behaviors you want to extinguish, and giving lots of praise and attention to behaviors you want to nurture. In the case of shrieking, I would try keeping your attention very low key when s/he shrieks. Conversely, when s/he plays or talks in a voice that is what you'd like to hear more of, respond quickly and with lots of happy attention.
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I agree with the advice given by Lacie to reinforce the "good behavior" but I'm with your MIL on this one, that your DS is just "learning his voice" and will probably move on to the next developmental stage in a couple weeks. I would just let it go and invest in some ear plugs if it bothers you that much.
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