Some Advise for a cry baby toddler.

[Heidi]

sounds like you have a plan then! That brings some comfort, I am sure.

I guess one more thing I would add is if he is trying to do something he cant, the second he starts to whine, reflect his feelings "You are trying to get on that chair, and it's not working. That makes you sad. Do you want help please?" You can't change the rules for him, and sometimes he just has to deal, but maybe if he starts getting the words, he will be less apt to cry about everything.

[Blackcat31]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with this advice. He's still a very young child and there is nothing wrong with comforting him.

So you are comforting a child who cries when being told no? I don't understand how that helps.

This is not a choice for him, he's not trying to annoy you, he's just being a young child who has trouble regulating his emotions and regulating impulse control. Punishing a child (putting them in an isolated area with pillows) for crying is not a good idea. You're not teaching him a skill by putting him in an isolated area because you are forcing him into the isolated area so in his eyes he's being punished.

Yes, the skill he is learning is proper social behaviors. You can't just cry because you were told no and then be cuddled. That teaches them that if they cry, they will never have to do anything they don't want to.

I think patience is key here. He will eventually get used to your rules about behavior and as he gets older he'll stop crying so much. I would be inclined to get to his level and say "I see that you're upset but those are daycare rules" give him a hug and leave it at that. The crying will eventually get less and less as he learnes that it's not getting him what he wants.

I disagree. I think by being so patient and letting this negative behavior continue the behavior won't disapate, it will get stronger because of the reinforcement he is receiving (hugs, validaiton, words that it is ok to be angry.) It isn't okay to cry and be angry because you want somehting someone else has. Watch how quickly the other kids pick up on that behavior. He won't eventually get used to the rules until he first understands that it isn't all about him. It is about group behaviro, pro-social skills and being able to be told "NO!"