When parents hear their child begin to whine, a cure can't come quickly enough. Whining is most prevalent in children between the ages of 2 and 4. During this developmental stage, children are able to verbalize their needs, but only to a certain extent. They may be easily frustrated when unable to communicate they are hungry, tired or other have other needs. Whining is one way a child can get attention, whether positive or negative, according to experts at the Parenting Assistance Line at the University of Alabama.
Step 1
Allow your child to express his emotions without restraint. Let your child laugh out loud and cry without threat of punishment. And, if he needs to throw a tantrum, allow him to do so without pressuring him to stop, recommends Patty Wipfler of the website HandinHand. Once your child releases the built-up emotions, his mind may be clear and ready to respond more appropriately.
Step 2
Ask your child to speak in a calm voice and not a whiny one. Stay positive when asking her to speak clearly and calmly. Say you cannot understand her when she is whining. Practice explaining the calm voice versus the whiny voice during playtime. Use puppets and make a game of explaining the difference between the tones.
Step 3
Circumvent an episode of whining by avoiding trigger points, suggests BabyCenter.com. Feed your child throughout the day, including snacks. Don't skip nap times. If your child seems tired, schedule quiet time to rest and perhaps read a book.
Step 4
Give yourself time to break the cycle if you have given into your child when she whines in the past. Your child may be used to whining to get attention. Understand that it will take a few weeks for new strategies to take affect.
Step 5
Reinforce good behavior. When your child makes a request in a calm, pleasant voice, praise her on how she is speaking, according to the Parenting Assistance Line. Give your child attention without waiting for them to ask for it. Plan time for special activities, such as going to the park, swimming and even snacking on chocolate chip cookies.
Tips and Warnings
- Stay patient when your child begins to whine. Your child will sense you are growing frustrated if you raise your voice or by your actions. Your reaction to whining may escalate the problem. When you are out of the home, establish no whining rules before leaving. Ensure your child understands what will happen if whining begins.
- If the whining has become too much for you, take a five- or 10-minute break to recharge your resolve to respond positively.
