Health Encyclopedia

Crying in childhood

Information

Crying is an emotional response to a distressing experience or situation. Children cry for many reasons, and the degree of their distress depends on their developmental levels and previous experiences. Children cry in response to pain, fear, sadness, frustration, confusion, anger, and inability to express their feelings.

Crying is a normal response to distressing situations that a child is unable to resolve. When the child's coping skills are exhausted, crying is automatic and instinctual.

A growing child eventually learns to express feelings of frustration, anger, or confusion without crying. Parents may find it necessary to establish guidelines to help the child develop appropriate behaviors.

Praise the child's ability to delay or withhold crying until an appropriate time and place. Teach alternative behaviors to distressing situations. Encourage the child to "use their words" to explain what is upsetting them.

As a child develops additional coping and problem-solving skills, crying will become less frequent. As they mature, boys tend to cry less than girls. Many believe these are learned behaviors.

Review Date:5/8/2008
Reviewed By:Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.