What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
A young child is a complex character of emotions. They have big feelings that they cannot always communicate.
Just like babies, kids cry when they feel pain, fear, sadness, frustration, confusion, anger, and when they cannot express their feelings. Sometimes they cry simply because they need affection or comfort.
Indeed, crying is a normal response to upsetting situations that a toddler cannot resolve.
And when a little one's coping skills are used up, crying is automatic and natural.
Sometimes frequent tears are a sign of depression or other serious difficulties.
Small children sometimes cry to release tension when they are overtired or overstimulated.
Being tired and overly emotional can induce more tears than usual.
Kids between six and 12, on the other hand, should get between nine to 12 hours of sleep.
Parents should make sure that toddlers are getting enough rest either through daytime naps or nighttime sleep. As a pointer, youngsters between the ages of three and five years old need 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period.
Meanwhile, the fact that kids cry is because they feel the innate need to express themselves. This serves as a prompt for every mom and dad to respond. Now, let's look more closely at why they may be crying in the first place.
More often, they are a sign that a child hasn't yet developed good skills for regulating emotions.
It's every parent's responsibility to help youngsters navigate those feelings and guide them through the tears.
All children cry at times when they're hungry. In fact, it's one of the biggest reasons kids shed tears in the first place.
Boys and girls who are moderately active at four years old need 1,400 calories/day, and five year olds need 1,400 calories/day. That's a lot of refueling!
The trick is if your child breaks down for no apparent reason, offer up a tasty snack. If that works, have their favorite nibbles at hand whenever tummies start rumbling.
The most valid reason for crying when an injury happens is, of course, because it hurts. Crying is an instant reaction to pain, and youngsters react very quickly to any aches, pains, or discomfort.
Fear can wreak havoc on a youngster's emotions. A nightmare very often leaves a child feeling scared. Separation anxiety can also be a source of their fears, and can have repercussions in adulthood.
An injury is likely to be identified fairly rapidly. But a child may also cry because they are not feeling well.
The remedy for any fears or anxieties your child may experience? Plenty of TLC—snuggles and reassurance work wonders to calm nerves and ward off panic.
Signs of overstimulation include tiredness, crying, irritability, tantrums, and refusal to cooperate. Cue the tears!
Once your toddler can talk, it will be much easier for them to express why they're upset and for you to understand what they need.
This is achieved by helping a child plan ahead for situations that tend to elicit tears.
A little one who doesn't quite know how to express their feelings may simply decide to cry in order to get what they want. Similarly, when they are in need of attention, a few tears shed in the direction of mom or dad often does the trick.
So much for the reasons your child may be crying. But how do you go about drying the tears and calming a youngster down?
It's fairly obvious if your child is tired or hungry. And these are complaints that can be easily remedied. But what if you're toddler is crying and you're unsure why?
In situations like this, it's best to stay calm and focused, even if your little one is making one almighty scene in public. The idea is to help them work through their feelings.
Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. This lends young minds a sense of control. Schedules also help to make sure they are getting the sleep they need for their growing bodies, and sets the clock for mealtimes.
Kids cry. Get used to it. Telling a child to "stop crying" serves no useful purpose. Instead, let them know it's okay to shed tears now and again, and side with them by telling them you understand and that you're there to help.
Once you've identified how your toddler is feeling, reciprocate by validating those feelings. By doing so, it teaches your child to accept their emotions and to work through them. Plus, emotional validation can help your child learn self-compassion.
Sources: (MedicinePlus) (Psychology Today) (HealthyChildren.org) (Moms.com) (Raising Children Network) (Caribu)
See also: Balancing work and family life—strategies for success
Reducing noise and activity, speaking quietly, or setting up a quiet activity can help counter overstimulation.
Helping a child identify their emotions and put a voice to those feelings not only increases their vocabulary, but it goes a long way in calming them down when they feel overwhelmed.
Why do children cry? And how do you calm them down once the tears start falling? Dealing with a distressed youngster is not an exact science, and it can be quite overwhelming when your little one decides to open the floodgates. But there are ways to deal with a toddler's sobbing, useful courses of action that can help a kid navigate through their emotions while coming to terms with childhood. So, how can you support your child and help them calm down when they’re upset?
Click through and hone your parenting skills.
Why children cry and how to calm them down
How to support your little one and stop the tears
LIFESTYLE Children
Why do children cry? And how do you calm them down once the tears start falling? Dealing with a distressed youngster is not an exact science, and it can be quite overwhelming when your little one decides to open the floodgates. But there are ways to deal with a toddler's sobbing, useful courses of action that can help a kid navigate through their emotions while coming to terms with childhood. So, how can you support your child and help them calm down when they’re upset?
Click through and hone your parenting skills.