Why some kids talk nonstop

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  • Quick tip 1

    Practice “stop, look, and listen.”

    Show kids how to stop every few sentences and look to see how others in the conversation are reacting.

  • Quick tip 2

    Have them write it down.

    When kids feel the urge to say something, encourage them to jot it down and bring it up later.

  • Quick tip 3

    Use a “secret code.”

    Agree on a sign, like scratching your head or clearing your throat, to let kids know when they’ve been talking too long or are going off topic.

  • Quick tip 4

    Role-play conversations.

    Practice active listening. Talk about something, then have them ask questions about what you’ve been talking about. 

  • Quick tip 5

    Be patient.

    It takes time, effort, and lots of practice for kids to get into the habit of using these strategies.

Lots of kids love to talk, especially young kids. If they’re excited about something, they might go on and on until somebody says it’s time to give it a rest. As they get older, kids typically realize that on their own. They notice that they’re talking too much, and they stop.

Being a talker isn’t always a bad thing. Talkative kids can be charming, funny, and interesting. But when their conversation is endless or happens at the wrong time and place, it can turn people off — especially other kids.

There are lots of reasons kids talk too much. They may just be passionate about a topic and want to share every single detail about it. 

Kids may also talk nonstop if they’re stressed out. They may not know how to calm themselves, so they talk and talk. Shy kids might get anxious in social situations. But instead of holding back and staying quiet, they might actually talk a lot.

Some kids have trouble with social skills in general. They have a hard time picking up on social cues like body language and facial expressions. So they may not notice how other people are reacting to their talking. 

Trouble with self-control can also be a factor. Some kids are impulsive and have a hard time putting on the brakes. They may struggle to stop themselves even if they know they’re talking too much.

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