My 2 year old is ALWAYS talking. What's wrong?? How to encourage quiet time?

Question

Sometimes my husband and I are so fed up with our almost 3 year old daughter, because she is constantly talking!!!! She's OFF THE WALL, in that she's always moving, talking, singing, nagging.
Yes, I am thankful that my 2 year old is healthy and talking EXTREMELY well for her age. In fact, she is at a 4 year old level... she has full conversations, uses words like "lactation" "privacy," and "temporarily," and asks very insightful and intelligent questions while conversing. She is not a genius, but very advanced, and I think that's due to us talking to her so much.
But, how do we encourage quiet time? Is this normal for a 2 year old to talk so much? Are we wrong to tell her to be quiet so much? I feel like sometimes I can't even think!!!

Answer 1

Start with "Quiet time" after dinner - we used to do this with our first two kids, after dinner hubby and I would have our coffee and read the paper, and the kids could go and watch TV or whatever, but they were not to disturb us for 20 - 30 minutes. They could come in the living room and read too if they wanted, but this was Quiet Time and they usually went to watch TV.



Your daughter may be a little young for this, and with us, we had two kids and they were around 6 & 3 when we started this (my husband worked shifts at the time, and if we didn't spend half an hour together at least once a day to "connect", we didn't get any time together!)



Kids accept rules pretty well when they are explained to them "Now it is Quiet Time - see, the sign on the door says "Quiet Time" - you can read a book or watch TV but you have to do it quietly."

Answer 2

I have the same sort of kid. It is wonderful, the conversations are a delight, I am doing everything I can to encourage it, I enjoy boasting about it to Grandma, and I am often drained.



Nice thing about a bright tot, though, is that you can explain stuff and get a reasonable reaction. I go until I absolutely need a break, and then: "Mummy needs some Mummy time. I am going to have a little rest," and anything from then on (anything non-urgent, that is) gets a friendly but firm "Mummy is having a little rest." I suggest explaining this need for a break with details: I am enjoying our conversations, but I need some quiet time as well. I need time to think of new things to say! People don't talk ALL the time; it is not polite. Everyone needs a quiet time. Think of some things you would like to talk about while you are doing puzzles and Mum is having a rest, and then let me know about them at the end of the rest, etc etc etc.



Having people over or going to visit others is invaluable... There is also some respite to be had in having her do as many things as possible for herself, so step up the directions on how to do stuff for oneself if you haven't already. Cut nagging off with cheerful "I can't do that right now, but you can go ahead!"-type responses.

Answer 3

It is perfectly acceptable to tell her when you need quiet time, but as a parent, that is best done only when you really need it.



Communication is so valuable in culturing a child that I would not do much to discourage her. In fact, by becoming good listeners with a child, and avoiding knee-jerk, punitive reactions to stuff she says, you'll find out WAY more about what's going on in her life than you will if you poison communications by going ballistic the first time you hear something you don't like. I can no longer count the number of kids I've seen whose parents have completely shut down communications and driven questionable behaviors deep underground.

Answer 4

Goodness, we're in the same boat! My son is 22 months old as of today and he's like a broken record - just keeps talking and talking and talking! There is nothing you can do about it, nor should you discourage it. It's healthy and yes, sometimes I'd love quiet time (especially when it's time to put my son to bed), but just keep them going. It's great for their development and believe me, if your child wasn't talking, then you'd be on here asking "How do I get my child to talk more?" - LoL! :o)

Answer 5

Tough. I like the 'do things by herself' idea. Also sometimes I say mommy needs some quiet time to think about the groceries we need, or the errands we need to run. Here is an idea that she will have no idea why - Maybe offer lollipops? There are decent ones at Whole foods.

Answer 6

Its perfectly normal for kids that age to talk a lot. Remember that talking is a new skill that your child has acquired and that she is learning new vocabularies everyday. It is her source of self expression and therefore its perfectly normal for her to do a lot of it.



It can be bothersome though, but most of kids' questions at this stage can be answered by either yes or no so it should not be that difficult. Its important for your child to know that both you and your husband is listening to her and that she is getting adequate attention. Just remember, kids feed on attention. This article might help (http://www.squidoo.com/how-parents-can-help-boost-their-child-s-self-esteem). God bless you.



Dean

Answer 7

My 2 yr old is the same way - and trust me it is so much easier to care for a toddler that can communicate as my 1 yr old is a little more average in her vocabulary. My 2 yr old is using words now like mommy this is ridiculous........that was disgusting........I am terribly upset. I think it is funny. If I need quiet time I set her and the younger one up with some kind of activity - puzzles, color wonder, books, and just tell them I need to rest - go play.

Answer 8

lol, kids that age LOVE to hear themselves talk. unfortunately, i don't think there is anything you can do about it. maybe, you could make a game out of quiet time? like tell her "lets see who can be quiet the longest and whoever wins gets a prize" and let her win and give her a little prize. like a yummy treat or a dollar store toy

Answer 9

play the quiet game lol but teach her she needs to be quiet at times like church during a movie etc

Answer 10

My older sister was like that so i just asked my dad what he did. Try to keep her busy was his suggestion but there is no real way to get her to talk less.

Answer 11

you have a fortunate daughter, and I'm really impressed.

And yes it is normal for kids to talk allot, I'm not a Mom, but all I'm trying to say is: Kids want to discover new things, they want to look around and do interest things in their life's, I call it "A Kid's Life"

And that's it, I don't have any further info. about kids, and THNX 4 ur asking :)