How do you teach a toddle/preschooler not to interrupt?

I have been noticing that my 2 1/2 year old is constantly interrupting and I have been feeding into that. Well, I want that to stop. I want to teach her to wait her turn and not just repeat what she wants till it drives someone crazy! I realize she is young but she is very smart and I think it is possible to teach them young, I just have to figure out how!

Any Suggestions?

Give them a sign...actually 2 signs...one that YOU will give, such as a finger held up to represent 'just a second' when they come to say something, you hold up your finger. That is your acknowledgement that you know the child is there and needs something and you will tend to them shortly. Also give the child a sign to politely let you know they need your attention. Rather than coming up and "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom" they can place their hand on your knee, or arm. At which time you give them a glance and your sign.

Now at first there's going to be a training period, in which it will still seem they are interrupting. Start away from the situation, tell your child we have a new rule, no more interrupting. And go over the signs, explain how they will be used. Role play it at home. Mom pretend your having a conversation with someone and 'little johnny' wants to say something. How does 'little johnny' get your attention? What does he need to do? Yes, that's right, just come stand by mom, place your hand on my knee or wrist (whatever you have decided) mom will give her sign and say 'just a moment' and finish her 'conversation' Then at an appropriate time mom will excuse herself from that 'conversation' and tend to 'little johnny'

Feel free to show the wrong way too. YOU be the interrupting child "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom" Even at two kids can get that's rather annoying LOL Then laugh and say, that wasn't right was it? How *should* we have handled that?

Then back to real life...for a while you will have to still say 'just a moment' while using your sign. But soon, just the sign will be sufficient. And if all of that is kept up well, before you know it, your child will only come for your attention if someone is bleeding LOL

Well, that's how it is with ours when we're at someone's house. We never see our kids unless there's an emergency of sorts hehe

Give them a sign...actually 2 signs...one that YOU will give, such as a finger held up to represent 'just a second' when they come to say something, you hold up your finger. That is your acknowledgement that you know the child is there and needs something and you will tend to them shortly. Also give the child a sign to politely let you know they need your attention. Rather than coming up and "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom" they can place their hand on your knee, or arm. At which time you give them a glance and your sign.



This is what we did also. If I was talking to someone and one of the kids came up to me, I would hold up my hand and then put my hand on his shoulder or my arm around him. This let the child know that I was aware of him and would get to him, but he needed to wait.

Tara that is so excellent advice! I will try to use that when the time comes around LOL, if I remember!

So rare that there are respectful kids these days. I know many children that interrupt VERY BADLY. During bible study we have one family whose kids will come into the room and say VERY LOUDLY, "DAD, DAD I WANT ___" or their mom, and begin to climb all over their parents, so loudly, that the rest of us cannot hear the teaching/exhortation/prayer until their parents get up and give them what they want (cookie, drink, toy, whatever). Drives me nuts :evil: although I don't say anything to them. Because I don't know what to say.

That is great advice. Mine interrupts too and it is sooooo annoying. I will give this a try! Thanks.