Why Does My Toddler Yell All the Time?

From the moment she wakes up (at about 6.45) to the moment she is placed in her bed at the end of a day, our toddler seems to yell at the top of her voice. Tell me – why does my toddler yell all the time?

Why Does My Toddler Yell All The Time?

Honestly, her volume is continually turned up to 11 at all times!

As soon as she wakes up (including through the night) she is shouting “MUMMY!” or “DADDY!”. We actually have started to nudge each other based on the result of the yell (which leaves me crossing my fingers for a Daddy yell every time) but it is getting to be a bit tiring.

I know – like most toddlers she wants her way. Like most toddlers she is pushing her boundaries, and seeing how far we will let her behaviour go. I realise that she is a toddler, with little idea of how to behave in refined company, and poor impulse control generally. She cannot communicate her feelings well, so she yells. Lots. But my eardrums are bursting!

So – Why does my toddler yell all the time? And how do I deal with this? Here are some great tips.

Try and work around your toddler as much as possible

This doesn’t mean give in to their every whim. But do try and be empathic to how they are feeling. If they are yelling because they don’t like their surroundings then why force them to stay there?

Do acknowledge their feelings. If they are yelling to leave, explain that you will be going soon and why you need to do what you are doing. Buy some time if possible.

Learning about emotions is a tricky part of growing up. This game can help.

Even putting a name to how they are feeling shows to your little one that you are listening to them, and this may be enough to help the yelling stop.

See here what to do when yelling turns into biting!

Use a distraction technique

Sometimes just having to hand their favourite toy or something different to keep them occupied can help.

Another distraction is to whisper yourself, so that your toddler has to stop to hear what you are saying. Some toddlers get wise to this tactic though.

Keep them distracted by giving a running commentary on what you are doing. Encourage them to join in and it becomes a new game.

Ask them to use their “Indoor Voice”

Actually, this hasn’t worked as yet with our LO. I don’t think she has quite understood the difference between the two.

And give praise when they get the “Indoor Voice” right

Our little one loves praise. Most toddlers thrive on praise. In fact, if you reward your child when they get home, saying that the reward is for good behaviour, they are more likely to behave better in the future.

Do not yell yourself.

Lead by example. Your child tends to copy you. So if you are yelling every day, they will too. Simple concept, but some people just haven’t realised this.

Do not be embarrassed

Realise that this will pass, and ignore what others think. If you feel that it is necessary, remove yourself and your child from the place/situation. But do not punish, remonstrate or berate either your child or yourself. They are toddlers and these things are to be expected. Most parents deal with this, and it is nothing to feel embarrassed or sorry about. If someone else has a problem, it is exactly that – their problem.

So – why does my toddler yell all the time? Probably for lots of reasons. But hopefully with a mixture of the above tips we can work through another difficult phase of tweenage!

Enjoyed this? Why not read my other posts  Why Is My Toddler Hitting Herself?

How Do I Get My Child To Brush?

or Getting a Toddler to Take Medicine