Managing Crying and Screaming: When and How to Intervene
Crying and screaming are common behaviours in young children, often serving as a form of communication before they develop the language skills to express their needs and emotions. However, these behaviours can sometimes escalate to a point where they become problematic, disrupting family life and potentially leading to negative outcomes if not managed effectively. At Lucid Minds Positive Behaviour Support, we believe that understanding the nuances of crying and screaming behaviours is key to knowing when and how to intervene. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between typical and problematic behaviours, and provide guidelines for effective intervention.
Understanding Crying and Screaming: Typical vs. Problematic Behaviours
Typical Crying and Screaming: Crying and screaming are natural responses to a variety of situations in a child’s life. Some common triggers include:
Physical Needs: Hunger, tiredness, or discomfort often lead to crying or screaming as a way to signal a need for attention.
Emotional Responses: Fear, frustration, or feeling overwhelmed can cause a child to cry or scream. This is a normal part of emotional development.
Communication: For young children, especially toddlers, crying and screaming may be one of the few ways they can communicate their desires or needs.
In most cases, these behaviors are short-lived and subside once the child’s needs are met or they have calmed down. They are considered typical if they occur occasionally and are directly related to specific, understandable triggers.
Problematic Crying and Screaming: While crying and screaming are typical behaviors, they can become problematic when:
Frequency and Intensity Increase: If a child’s crying or screaming becomes more frequent, lasts longer, or is more intense than usual, it may indicate underlying issues.
Inability to Self-Soothe: If a child struggles to calm down after crying or screaming, even when comforted, this may be a sign of distress.
Disruptive Impact: When crying and screaming interfere significantly with the child’s daily life or the functioning of the household, it can be considered problematic.
Accompanying Behaviors: If the crying and screaming are accompanied by other concerning behaviours, such as aggression, withdrawal, or regression in developmental milestones, it’s important to take note.
These behaviors may be a sign of underlying emotional, developmental, or environmental issues that require attention.
Guidelines for Intervention
When deciding how and when to intervene in crying and screaming behaviors, it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate these challenging moments:
Assess the Situation:
Identify the Trigger: Try to determine what caused the crying or screaming. Is the child hungry, tired, or frustrated? Understanding the trigger is key to providing an appropriate response.
Evaluate the Environment: Consider whether there are environmental factors contributing to the behavior, such as overstimulation, loud noises, or changes in routine.
Provide Immediate Comfort:
Physical Comfort: Offer a hug, hold the child, or provide a comforting object like a blanket or stuffed animal. Physical closeness can help the child feel safe and secure.
Calm Environment: Create a calm and soothing environment by reducing noise, dimming lights, and speaking in a soft, reassuring tone.
Set Boundaries and Limits:
Consistent Responses: While it’s important to comfort the child, it’s also essential to set clear boundaries. For example, if the crying or screaming is a result of not getting something they want, gently but firmly explain why they can’t have it and offer an alternative.
Teach Emotional Regulation: Help the child learn to express their emotions in more appropriate ways. This might include teaching them to use words to describe how they feel or guiding them in deep-breathing exercises.
Monitor for Patterns:
Keep a Record: If problematic crying or screaming persists, keep a record of when it happens, how long it lasts, and what seems to trigger it. This can help identify patterns and inform future interventions.
Seek Professional Support: If you notice a pattern of problematic behavior or if the crying and screaming are impacting the child’s well-being or development, consider seeking support from a behavior specialist or psychologist.
Foster Emotional Intelligence:
Label Emotions: Teach your child to identify and label their emotions. For example, you might say, “I see you’re feeling very frustrated because you can’t reach the toy.”
Model Calm Behavior: Children learn a lot from observing their parents and caregivers. Model calm and regulated behavior during stressful situations, and your child will begin to mimic these responses.
Use Positive Reinforcement:
Praise Calm Behavior: When your child manages their emotions without crying or screaming, be sure to acknowledge and praise this behavior. Positive reinforcement can encourage more of the behavior you want to see.
Reward Effort: Even if the child doesn’t completely avoid crying or screaming, reward the effort they make to calm down or express themselves in healthier ways.
Know When to Seek Help:
Persistent Issues: If crying and screaming behaviors continue to be problematic despite your best efforts, it may be time to consult with a professional who can provide more targeted strategies and support.
Conclusion
Crying and screaming are natural behaviors in young children, but when they become frequent, intense, or disruptive, it’s important to take action. By understanding the difference between typical and problematic behaviors, and following these guidelines for intervention, you can help your child develop healthier ways to express their emotions. Remember, at Lucid Minds Positive Behaviour Support, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. If you need additional support or guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.
Written By: Ben Dowton
With over 5 years of experience, Ben Dowton has worked extensively with individuals of all ages who have complex behavioural needs.
He is highly skilled in creating and implementing positive behaviour support plans that promote individual growth and development while also reducing challenging behaviours. Ben is passionate about providing person-centred care and ensuring that each individual's unique needs are met with empathy and respect.