Crying is the children’s expression of a message they can’t say in words. It’s a good thing that parents are wired to hear exactly the message conveyed in their toddler’s cries. As an advocate of quality child care in Vineland, New Jersey, we know that responding to these cries can be effective in calming a child down.
However, we also need to first verify the reason why the toddler is crying. When we know what it is that is bothering them, we will be able to find the correct intervention so they can stay calm. We would like to share the following tips to calm down your crying toddlers:
- Check for any pain
Toddlers cry as soon as they feel pain. Evaluate your child if they have complained about any painful part in their body. You can also ask them if they are sick or ill. If they tell you which part is painful, do something to treat the pain immediately.
- Ask if they are tired
Toddlers can also grow cranky when they are tired. If they have been playing the whole day, they would feel tired and spent in a few hours. Because of that, they would want to go to sleep. However, if they can’t tell you that they want to sleep, they might cry in frustration. It helps to note your children’s sleeping schedule. This way, you can determine that it is already their sleeping time and so they reacted in tears.
- Take the toddler outside
There are also times that children cry out of frustration that they cannot explain in words. It can be helpful to take them somewhere else. If you’re indoors, take them to see some plants outside, or watch the birds, or see some cars passing by. As a provider of early childhood education in New Jersey, we know that a healthy dose of distraction can be a strategic way for toddlers to feel calm.
- Resolve their situation
Toddlers can also get frustrated when they are trying to fix something and they can’t restore them. For instance, if they have been piling up the Lego blocks to form a tower and it keeps on falling off, it can draw their frustration. If their tears come from these kinds of instances, work out a solution with them. Talk with your child and tell them that you will resolve their situation together.
In our day care center, we have seen how toddlers can be when they cry. Sometimes they can be easily soothed. Other times take longer. What is important however is that we recognize and validate their feelings in these expressions. When their crying is very validated, they can feel more familiar with their emotions, and this is good for their mental health.
When your child is with us at DiBiase Baby Steps, we will help you soothe their crying in a healthy and compassionate way. To know more about our programs, ask us!
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