5 Things To Say Instead Of “Don’t Cry”
Toddlers have big emotions and lack the language to articulate them clearly. Crying is a way to convey their needs. Saying “don’t cry” must feel awful to a toddler. What if we made a conscious decision to notice when the thought “stop crying” pops up, and instead we said:
- I see how upset you are.
- I see that this is hard for you.
- Let’s solve this problem together.
- It’s okay to be sad.
- I see you want some space. I’ll stay close by so you can find me when you need me.
The way we react to their distress will make an impact on them as a human. Validating the feelings of children helps them to feel understood. Being understood is an essential ingredient to feeling connected and supported, and it also helps toddlers to give words to their feelings.
Learn more about our holistic approach to learning with Toddlers at Only About Children.
Plus, learn more from our in-house Children Services Curriculum Advisor, Jenny Kable: Respectful Nappy Changes.
Only About Children can help your child to grow, make friends and explore the world.
Only About Children can help your child to grow, make friends and explore the world.
Related Reads
The 3 Day CCS Guarantee: What It Means For Families
From January 2026, the Australian Government is replacing the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Activity Test to guarantee at least 3 days of subsidised early childhood education and care (ECEC) each week for children who need it. In this article, we summarise what this means for OAC families.
Every Conversation Matters: Turning Safety Talk into Action with Bunji
This National Child Protection Week, Bunji is helping children turn conversations about safety and wellbeing into real-life actions. From helmets and seatbelts to eye health and body safety, children are learning safe habits in fun, engaging ways, showing that every conversation about safety truly matters.