How should I deal with his shrieking?

[Spagblog]

My DS (2) has this ear splitting shriek that he does when he is annoyed, angry, frustrated, wants something or gets over excited.

It goes right through you like nails on a blackboard and makes heads turn in Sainsburys.

We have tried ignoring it, putting him in time out and shouting at him when we finally lose it.
Nothing works.

If we stick to one way of dealing with it, what should it be?

Have you tried hitting the same note yourself, then going down the scale and turning it into a song? Works with ds, but he is only 15 months so may be completely useless for an older child. Also probably best to try it at home rather than in Sainsbury's .

You have to pretend not to notice. If necessary - put yourself in time out (so you don't lose it).

Sadly now you have shouted he has seen that if he persists you will have a little tantrum of your own, it may get worse before it gets better.

I agree with singing - if only because it's calming.

I don't think I could hit the same note! He's only a few steps away from ultrasonic!

We will try to ignore.

He has hit the terrible twos with a vengence