Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re:noise and yelling

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

I taught preschool for 8 years.
Children's natural gait is a run, and their exuberance can be a joyful 
noise.  "Walking feet" and "indoor voices" is a totally adult concept. 
That said, it is certainly possible and desirable to mitigate noise and 
hazards in the common house. Just realize that it's not what's natural to 
young children.

"Don't" and "Stop" are pretty ineffective, except when used only in 
urgent situations.  Most effective is good-natured re-direction. Hey, how 
about you all run on your hands and knees? Can you crawl fast? Can you 
crawl backwards? Let's go see what's happening out there! Would you like 
to hear a story, or do you want to build a fort with cushions? When 
children are being noisy, sometimes it works to whisper to them...

Instead of "stop bouncing on the couch", try "if you want to bounce, 
please use the sofa in the play room". If you want to shout, go outside. 

Yes, do teach the adults that "I'm gonna getcha!" revs them up too much 
for gatherings indoors.
You might decide among the parents that some time period is designated 
for sitting and eating, and have the play area closed then. 

Re-direct, engage, be good humored. Model appropriate behavior. 


Lynn Nadeau, RoseWind Cohousing
Port Townsend Washington (Victorian seaport, music, art, nature)
http://www.rosewind.org
http://www.ptguide.com
http://www.ptforpeace.info (very active peace movement here- see our 
photo)
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