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QUICK TIP: MATCH MY VOICE
Repeat after me: Yelling and screaming are developmentally normal! That doesn't mean it's easy to deal with or that we ignore it. When children scream or yell, there's usually a reason why. And it isn't hard to guess: they want to make sure they are heard.
In responding to their yell, affirm that you can tell they want to be heard. Guide them towards using a softer voice, and let them know their words are important to you. You might try:
"Woah! I can tell you really want to be heard. Do you want to take your outside voice outside or do you want to use your inside voice so I can understand your words better?"
"Wow! That was so loud I couldn't understand you. Your words are important to me, will you say them again with a softer voice so I understand everything you want me to know?"
"Your volume is turned up so loud! Let's turn it down so I can understand you better." (Pretend to turn down their volume with an imaginary knob.)
TEACH WITH TOOLS:
Repeat after me: Yelling and screaming are developmentally normal! That doesn't mean it's easy to deal with or that we ignore it. When children scream or yell, there's usually a reason why. And it isn't hard to guess: they want to make sure they are heard.
In responding to their yell, affirm that you can tell they want to be heard. Guide them towards using a softer voice, and let them know their words are important to you. You might try:
"Woah! I can tell you really want to be heard. Do you want to take your outside voice outside or do you want to use your inside voice so I can understand your words better?" "Wow! That was so loud I couldn't understand you. Your words are important to me, will you say them again with a softer voice so I understand everything you want me to know?" "Your volume is turned up so loud! Let's turn it down so I can understand you better." (Pretend to turn down their volume with an imaginary knob.)TEACH WITH TOOLS:
We also recommend teaching with tools, like Voices are Not for Yelling: and Little Dinos Don't Yell: (FREE on Kindle Unlimited)
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