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Why do children cry? -

A young child is a complex character of emotions. They have big feelings that they cannot always communicate.

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Reasons to cry -

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.

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A normal response -

Indeed, crying is a normal response to upsetting situations that a toddler cannot resolve.

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Another way of coping -

And when a little one's coping skills are used up, crying is automatic and natural.

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Frequent tears -

Sometimes frequent tears are a sign of depression or other serious difficulties.

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Substitute emotion -

More often, they are a sign that a child hasn't yet developed good skills for regulating emotions.

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Navigating the tears -

It's every parent's responsibility to help youngsters navigate those feelings and guide them through the tears.

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Planning ahead -

This is achieved by helping a child plan ahead for situations that tend to elicit tears.

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Talking through the problem -

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.

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A form of expression -

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.

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They're tired -

Small children sometimes cry to release tension when they are overtired or overstimulated.

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More tears than usual -

Being tired and overly emotional can induce more tears than usual.

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Getting enough rest -

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.

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The need to sleep -

Kids between six and 12, on the other hand, should get between nine to 12 hours of sleep.

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They're hungry -

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.

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Burning up the calories -

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!

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The snack trick -

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.

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They're in pain -

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.

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A sign of illness -

An injury is likely to be identified fairly rapidly. But a child may also cry because they are not feeling well.

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They're scared -

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.

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Reassurance works wonders -

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.

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They're overstimulated -

Signs of overstimulation include tiredness, crying, irritability, tantrums, and refusal to cooperate. Cue the tears!

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Reduce noise and activity -

Reducing noise and activity, speaking quietly, or setting up a quiet activity can help counter overstimulation.

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They want something or need attention -

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.

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Calming down methods -

So much for the reasons your child may be crying. But how do you go about drying the tears and calming a youngster down?

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What's the problem? -

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?

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Stay calm -

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.

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Keep to a schedule -

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.

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Avoid saying "stop crying" -

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.

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Help them find a voice -

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.

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A happy family -

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

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