How do I help my child stop shouting answers at a quiz night? 

Parenting Perspective 

Quiz nights are filled with excitement, quick questions, and friendly competition. When your child shouts out answers before anyone else, it can feel disruptive, but it usually comes from enthusiasm, not rudeness. They are eager to show what they know and feel a sense of pride. Your role is not to suppress that joy, but to help them shape it into self-control, teaching them that knowledge shines brightest when it is shared respectfully. 

Understand the Eagerness Behind the Action 

Children often blurt out answers because they are excited, fear they will forget what they know, or are seeking approval. Their energy simply overtakes their awareness of the group’s rules. Viewing this as a sign of enthusiasm rather than arrogance allows you to respond with calm guidance instead of frustration. This gentle approach helps to correct their behaviour while keeping their confidence intact. 

Prepare Them Before the Event 

Before the quiz begins, take a moment to explain what is expected. You might say, ‘At the quiz, everyone gets a fair turn to answer. If you know the answer, you can whisper it to me or write it down. When it is our team’s turn, you can share it proudly.’ Explaining that fairness makes games more enjoyable for everyone helps them understand the reason behind the rule, making them more likely to follow it. 

Practise a Quiet Response Routine 

At home, you can rehearse how to handle quiz-like scenarios. Ask questions and have your child wait for a specific signal, such as a raised hand, before answering. Keep the tone playful and engaging. Praise every moment of self-control by saying, ‘You waited so patiently before answering. That is real teamwork.’ This routine helps to build emotional patience in a fun and pressure-free environment. 

Use Calm Prompts During the Quiz 

If your child begins to shout out an answer, place a gentle hand on their arm and say softly, ‘Remember our rule. Let us wait for our turn.’ Avoid public reprimands. Your calm composure will teach them that restraint is a respected quality and that their excitement can be channelled quietly. 

Teach the Value of Grace in Competition 

After the quiz, talk about how true confidence includes calmness and consideration for others. You could say, ‘Knowing the answer is wonderful, but real wisdom is in sharing it kindly. That is what makes people admire you.’ This transforms a competitive event into an opportunity for character-building, teaching them that success without humility feels hollow. 

Praise Self-Control and Restraint 

When your child successfully waits their turn, offer sincere recognition. Specific praise, such as, ‘You showed such great control tonight. That was both respectful and smart,’ makes restraint feel rewarding and reinforces that good manners give their achievements greater meaning. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, knowledge is considered a trust (amanah), and the way we share it is a reflection of our character. Teaching a child not to shout out answers is about nurturing adab (refinement of behaviour) and sabr (patience). It reminds them that wisdom is not about being first, but about using knowledge with grace and humility. 

The Quranic Emphasis on Gentleness 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 63: 

‘And the true servants of the One Who is Most Beneficent are those who wander around the Earth with humility; and when they are addressed by the ignorant people, they say: “Peace be unto you”.’ 

This verse highlights the importance of gentleness and restraint, which are qualities that reflect a heart softened by faith. By helping your child to speak calmly and wait their turn, you are teaching them to embody this balance of strength and serenity, even in moments of excitement. 

The Prophetic Link Between Modesty and Faith 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4184, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Modesty is part of faith, and faith leads to Paradise, but shamelessness is part of hardness of heart, and hardness of heart leads to the Fire.’ 

This hadith teaches that humility and calmness are deeply connected to faith. By guiding your child to answer gently rather than shouting to impress others, you are nurturing in them the quality of haya (modesty). This beautiful trait softens the heart and allows knowledge to be a source of grace, not pride. 

Guiding your child to remain calm during a quiz is about more than just manners; it is about shaping their emotional and spiritual maturity. Every moment they choose patience over impulse strengthens their self-control. Over time, they will learn that it is not the loudest voice that shines brightest, but the one that speaks with thought, fairness, and humility.