Help! 3 Year Old Cries All Day Long Everyday

[Heidi]

I found this article that has some ideas.

http://centerforparentingeducation.org/library-of-articles/child-development/understanding-temperament-emotional-sensitivity/

Have you tried making a calming area for her (and others to use).

Some books about feelings, a basket of squishy balls, a mirror, soft pillows, stuffed animals, sensory bottles.

I would not put her to bed; that makes bed a negative. Stick to the routine. If she doesn't want to eat, she can sit at the table and talk to her friends. If she cries, she can go sit in the cuddle corner and wait. Put it on the far end of the room from the table, and make it matter-of-fact.

This website has some really great tools. You can use introduce some of them at circle time to the whole group.

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/strategies.html

There are "feelings faces", which are a great way to give children words for their feelings.

I know the whole thing is frustrating, but please keep in mind that this little girl has been on this earth less than 3 years. She is not being difficult just to make life harder on others. Something is not right, and she's trying to communicate that.

Poor thing....poor you!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would suggest the mother have her seen by a doctor to rule out any physical issues. I would also make sure I was documenting this behavior and how "sudden" it came on.

I don't know...at this point, I'm starting to wonder about some sort of abuse or something happening at home...

Certainly don't want to start pointing fingers at any adult in her life but sudden unexplained changes in behavior of a child that extreme isn't something I would just brush off as normal for her age or as her being a drama queen.

If she has been with you for so long and has been secure and comfortable with you up until this point, there HAS to have been a catalyst for this sudden change....

Agree 100%!

[Unregistered]

I agree something sounds terribly wrong. First thing I thought was possible abuse. This is such a big change from her usual disposition, so extreme, and came on so suddenly. This child is in distress and crying out for help!

I really suggest against putting her in time out. She needs connection over isolatation. I know it's stressful for you too!

The Vanderbilt is a great site and has lots of printables and social emotional activities.

[Ariana]

New boyfriend might have started abusing her. I don't know why but like some others my redflag alarm went off like crazy on this. Could possibly be the new mom too? Something is just not right here and I would try to get to the bottom of it somehow.

I have heard that pedophiles will often target single moms.

[hope]

I'm sure you have tried this already but doesn't hurt to suggest. Have you tried giving a morning nap? Dcm could have her on a new sleep achedule that could be throwing her off?

[Unregistered]

So your response to a - two- year old who suddenly cries all day and is upset to the point of soiling herself is to think of how many different ways you can punish or ignore her?? My god, my heart is aching for this poor little girl. I hope you take your heart the words of experienced providers like Heidi and Blackcat here. You are the grownup in the situation and this child is desperately crying out for your help, but you're annoyed and want to punish her. SMH.