Screaming/squealing toddler - how can i stop this?

[mumofmoomoo]

My 2.5 dd has recently started screaming / squealing at top volume a lot. She does it in frustration mostly, but also if she doesn't get her own way / wants something. It is earsplitting and puts my hair on end. I have tried ignoring hoping it will go away. I have tried putting her in timeout when she does it. I have tried patiently and calmly talking to her. I guess i've not been consistent in my approach but nothing worked! It happens a lot, she just seems to get so frustrated so quickly.

Anyone have any idea how to stop this, or at least deal with it? Thanks.

My dd (~same age as yours) just started doing this recently too. From the very first time, I have completely ignored it and not responded to it in any way. I'm hoping she will see that it is pointless and gets no reaction, and will give it up as a waste of her time. I have found with other things that even a negative reaction from me makes her more likely to do it again just to annoy me. So a complete blank reaction is my tactic at the moment.

I guess it is a valied way of venting frustration for a 2yr old, same as stamping feet or shouting/hitting etc, so they might need to just grow out of it...

Anyone with older children got any words of wisdom?

I don't think you are necessarily going to stop your toddler screaming. Earplugs is the way to go.

As long as you stay calm, it doesn't matter so much. Just carry on what you were doing and tell yourself nothing very dreadful is happening. Take her away if she disturbs other people. Distract yourself by singing. This too shall pass.

"Distract yourself by singing. This too shall pass."

I love it, Cory. I am going to do this whenever I feel my blood pressure start to rise...

WIll try the singing trick!!

I think it is part of a wider frustration issue. She will literally be happily eating some food / playing with a puzzle one second to absolutely screaming in frustration / crying at top volume / having a tantrum the next second, with no inbetween stage, or any discernable valid reason that I can tell.

Does this sound normal for a 2.5 year old?