If you have a younger brother or sister, you are probably used to the occasional (or not so occasional) crying fit. While it is completely normal for kids and even adults to cry, young children seem to resort to tears faster and more often than older kids. Why is this? To help us answer this howling question, we turn to our friends at LiveScience.
There are many reasons young children cry. Because babies can’t speak yet, crying is their only way of letting people know they are hungry, sick, sleepy, too hot, need a new diaper or any other feeling they have. Older kids cry too. They may be hurt or scared which can be stressful, and that causes them to cry. But sometimes, young kids seem to cry for no reason. Why?
According to LiveScience, toddlers (kids ages 1-3) who cry for no apparent reason are usually wanting one of three things:
- Attention
- An item or an activity
- Do not want to follow a parent’s demand
Sometimes the item or activity they want can be harmful to them. For instance, if a child wants to jump into a pool or wants to hold scissors. Adults may keep them from doing what they want which causes the kid to cry, even though it is safer for the child.
Young children’s brains are still developing. This is why they may have problems with balance and movement as well as not always being able to control their emotions. This lack of emotional control means young kids swing from happy to crying and back to happy again much faster and more often than older kids and adults do. Sometimes crying is just a part of their brain learning they can’t always get what they want.
Remember, just because someone is crying doesn’t mean they are hurt. But, if you see a kid crying, you should tell an adult and let them make sure that the kid is safe. Often, though, you’ll find that the child was just trying to communicate their frustration the only way they know how. We all did it when we were young, even your teachers!
