Parenting Perspective 

A toddler shouting in a shop is a common yet stressful experience for parents. The behaviour may stem from overstimulation, frustration, or a simple bid for attention. Responding with anger or embarrassment only heightens the tension for everyone. The key is to remain calm, keep your response brief, and gently guide your child out of the cycle of shouting. 

Stay Calm and Neutral 

Lower yourself to your child’s eye level and speak in a calm but firm tone. You can say, ‘I cannot understand you when you are shouting. Please use your quiet voice.’ By modelling a calm response, you show them that shouting is not an effective way to get your attention. 

Redirect or Remove if Needed 

If the shouting continues, try to distract your child with a simple and engaging task: ‘Can you help me find the red apples?’ If the behaviour escalates further, it may be best to step out of the aisle or even take a short break outside the shop. Sometimes, removing the audience is the quickest way to restore calm. 

Teach Afterwards, Not During 

Public spaces are not the right environment for long explanations or discipline. Once you are back home, you can talk about what happened in a calm moment: ‘You were shouting in the shop earlier because you wanted the sweets. Shouting is not the right way to ask. Next time, you can ask me with a calm voice.’ This helps your toddler to learn without feeling publicly shamed. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches the importance of maintaining patience and dignity in public, reminding us to exercise self-control even when we are being tested. A child’s behaviour is a trust (amanah), and guiding them gently through difficult moments reflects both mercy and responsibility. 

The Power of Leniency and Mercy 

The Quran reminds us that a gentle and merciful approach is far more effective in winning hearts and guiding others than a harsh one, especially during moments of difficulty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verses 159: 

‘ So, it is by the mercy from Allah (Almighty) that you (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) are lenient with them; and if you had been harsh (in your speech) or restrained (in your heart), they would have dispersed from around you…’ 

The Goodness Found in Gentleness 

The prophetic tradition teaches that calmness and kindness bring better outcomes than anger or force, a principle that applies perfectly to parenting young children. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 637, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He who is deprived of gentleness is deprived of good.’ 

By responding calmly when your toddler shouts, you are embodying prophetic gentleness. Your child learns through your example that respect and patience matter more than making a loud noise, which helps to build the foundations of self-control.