DS 3.8 talks non-stop and in very loud voice

[gigwig]

he seems to give a commentary on everything he does in a very loud voice - we're always telling him to speak more quietly, doesn't seem to do any good, we're even talking ourselves in quiet voices/whispers so he understands what it is to talk quietly.

Any ideas on what to do to encourage him to talk in a quieter voice?

When he's in the garden and talking away, feel embarrased that neighbours can hear him. He was a late talker and used to be really shy and quiet - seems to have gone to the opposite extreme now.

Feels especially loud this morning cos of feeling hung-over!

[TooTicky]

He sounds a bit like my ds2, who had a language delay and now talks lots and loudly (although still difficult to understand). I think learning to listen more will help - no advice though! - perhaps it's just a matter of time.

[Maddison]

When my 5 yo DS1 talks in a loud voice I tell him I can't hear him when he's talking too loud. Seems to work for me.

[TooTicky]

Maddison - I'll try that!

[gigwig]

maddison - i will try that too - sounds good, and so simple too. thanks!

[Greensleeves]

I have been telling ds1 (3.10) that shouting makes my ears go deaf for ages, and to use a quiet voice. It works but I have to say it over and over again because he forgets.

I recently told him I had been to the doctor and had my ears changed so that I can't hear whinging either

[TooTicky]

Goodness, if I couldn't hear whinging the house would be very quiet

[spidermama]

I remember being told by my exasperated mum, 'You talk all the time. Please be quiet.' and I felt very upset and rejected. That said, I know how maddening it is, so these days I understand my mum more. It's a balancing act.

How about foam ear plugs to take the edge off it? It's a phaze which doesn't last forever.

[chipkid]

my ds, who is highly excitable talks at top volume the whole time. He is 5!

[NotQuiteCockney]

This is pretty normal. My DS1 has no language delay, but still talks all the time at loud volume.

I try not to speak loudly myself, I ask him to talk more quietly, but I tend to avoid asking him not to talk ... it just seems rude to.

[PrettyCandles]

Our 3yo and 5yo seem to have either no volume control, or the knob is stuck on MAX. I do agree that it's better to ask them to talk quietly, rather than to ask them to stop talking. But there's no reason IMO that you shouldn't say to him something along the lines of 'Mummy has to do XYZ right now, so please play in your bedroom/play quitely without talking/etc until I've finished, and then I will come to you and you can finish telling me all about it'. But of course it's important to make sure that you do then go and listen and give all your attention. Sometimes leaning in fairly close to the child, and talking to them veeeery quietly gets their attention and helps them to understand the difference in volume. And to copy it!

[Maddison]

Yeah it's a simple way of getting them to quieten down a bit, but I do have to tell him quite often because he forgets, like NQC, but I have found that he is speaking in a more natural tone volume more often now so have to tell him less. I say the same when he is winging and whining too, although it hasn't had the same effect