2.5 yr old who likes to scream almost all the time, do I discipline or ignore? HELP!

[mumfor1standfinaltime]

Please help!
Just walked home from work and went via some shops with my ds in his pushchair and he has to scream 'ta' in every shop we enter and does it while we walk around and whilst at the cash desk.
I mean real screams which hurt your ear drums.

It is embarrasing and it is stopping me from going shopping. I dread going to sainsburys.

Today was the tip of the iceburg when a man said 'Jesus christ!' and rubbed his ears and gave me a filthy look. I had a pop at him, I couldn't help it.

I have tried ignoring it thinking it was for attention, this doesn't make any difference. I have tried saying calmly 'that's not nice, stop etc'

I have put him in his room and he is upsatirs screaming. What now??

Anyone? I am at my wits end.

Maybe my 2 year old is the only one who screams then!

Sorry, it's a long time since my ds was 2 but I wouldn't have tolerated screaming.

Whenever I hear kids making that horrible high pitched screeching noise (usually girls) I find it incredibly irritating.

I'd be firm if I were you, certainly wouldn't just ignore it in a public place, it's rather anti social imo.

Obviously the above only applies if there isn't something genuinely wrong with your lo.

Hi thanks for reply. I am firm in a calm voice and say 'no, thats not nice to scream etc' but it seems to make things worse as he enjoys the attention he gets.
Usually he screams then looks at me to see my reaction

It is irritating!

It's hard to know how to advise, at that age they're not good at understanding punishments such as withdrawal of treats, etc.

Why don't they come with volume control?

Now that would be nice lol!

Could you try and talk him into submission? Just keep up a seamless running commentary and use your best theatrical tone. "OK, now I'm pushing you up the road, OH JOHNNY LOOOOOOOOK! A little birdie has flown over us! I thought it was a plane! Is it a plane? Can you see a plane? Now, if you don't scream in the shops I think you'll deserve a cake at the bakers. What cake will you have?" etc etc etc etc......I know no-one talks like that in RL but you get what I mean I think he's doing it for attention and just to be 'doing' something. Keep him as distracted as you can.

Hi, My 6 yr old autistic boy has fads of screaming. All the behaviour "experts" recommend ignoring unwanted behaviour, difficult though it is I do find this is the most effective route.

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Hi, thanks for the advise.

I have been thinking about things all day. Honoriaglossop - I do talk him through our walk when we are walking down the street, things like what colour is that car, and look at the green bus blah blah. I feel that I can't waffle all the time, but I will try this technique!

tibni, I think you are right about ignoring bad behaviour. It is hard though, especially when people stare and make comments. I did think to myself today - ds could have a disability for all people know and it made me so angry. I guess that I feel I 'should be' telling ds to be quiet just to make joe public see that I am 'doing something' to make ds be quiet.

pitchounette - I agree with your comments. We both sat together tonight and did some magna doodle. He didn't scream once and I really laid on the praise thick. It made me think about giving more praise for good behaviour.

Will try a different approach tomorrow