My 5 year old screams and cries whenever things dont go his way. He gets lots of positive attention, and lots of affection. I have calmly told him to 'use his words' when he is frustrated by something. He gets time out alot, but still screams, loudly.
by 
justine
ANSWERS: 7
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maybe positive reinforcement will be more effective. don't punish the misbehavior so as to not reward with even attention, but reward for the kind of response you wish, when it or a response similar to it occurs
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If you are using time outs then he has to learn that sanction is a consequence of the screaming and throwing tantrums as well as of the original misbehaviour. Best thing is to completely ignore him when he throws a tantrum - so that he is your angel baby when he's being good, but completely invisible when he is trying to demand your attention in this way. Don't tell him off or even look angry, just blank him and do something else. That does the positive reinforcement thing at the same time as letting him know this just doesn't work any more - that it doesn't get him any form of attention at all. Kids who demand a response will take what they can get - a good reaction from you or a bad one, its still a reaction, so don't let him win and then he'll try another tactic (like being pleasant) quickly enough, as soon as he's double checked and really truly believes you are never going to take his bait again. Good luck!
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Don't acknowledge the fact that he's screaming. He likes to get a reaction out of you.. So when he starts throwing a tantrum, just walk away and ignore him... ~+~
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I made it a point to not respond to that kind of behavior. They scream because they want attention and/or to get out of time out. Eventually they will get tired and stop and sooner or later they will realize that it does no good to scream.
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that sucks a lot
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Next time it happens, don't give him a time out, make him stand in a corner silently for fifteen whole minutes, if he fidgets or makes a noise, threaten to add more time to his sentance, this will definately teach him some discipline, he's in trouble if he's acting like this at the age of five.
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Yep, that's a five year old for ya.
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