10 best tips for dealing with screaming children

Screaming children can be a big challenge for parents and carers. It’s normal for children to cry sometimes to express their needs, whether out of hunger, tiredness or frustration. To stay calm and react appropriately in such situations, here are ten helpful tips that can help parents and carers.

Keep calm
First things first: stay calm. If you yourself become agitated in a stressful situation, this will only intensify. Take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Children sense their parents’ emotions and react to them. A calm approach can often help to de-escalate the situation.
Identify the cause
Try to find out why your child is crying. Is it hungry, tired, frustrated or perhaps overstimulated? Sometimes a simple look at basic needs can help you understand the cries and respond to them in a targeted way.
Offer alternatives to communication
Especially with younger children, it can be helpful to teach them to express their needs differently. Use simple signs or pictures to help them make themselves understood. The better they can communicate, the less they will shout.
Use distraction
Distraction can be an effective way of diverting your child’s attention away from what they are crying about. Offer a toy, start a new activity or change the location. It often helps to simply shift the focus.
Introduce calming rituals
Rituals can offer children security and stability. Introduce regular routines that help the child to relax, such as reading a book before bedtime or a short relaxation exercise. These rituals can help to minimise stressful situations.
Seek physical contact
Sometimes it helps to simply be held in your arms. Physical contact gives children a feeling of safety and security. Hold your child gently in your arms or sit them on your lap to comfort them.
Show patience
Sometimes it can take a while for a child to calm down. Show patience and give your child the time they need. Avoid pressurising the child to react quickly as this often leads to more frustration.
Show empathy
Show your child that you understand their feelings. Say things like ‘I see that you’re angry’ or ‘It’s okay to be sad’. By acknowledging emotions, children feel taken seriously and are often more willing to calm down.
Setting healthy boundaries
Sometimes it may be necessary to set boundaries. If the screaming gets out of hand or disturbs other children, calmly explain that it is not okay to scream like this. Clear boundaries help to create a sense of security.
Don’t forget self-care
Parents who look after their own needs are better able to deal with stressful situations. Make sure you regularly schedule time for yourself, whether it’s through exercise, relaxation or socialising. If you are well-balanced, you will also be better able to deal with your children.

Screaming children are often an expression of feelings that they cannot yet fully express in words. With these tips, parents and carers can not only react to the crying, but also learn how to better support their children’s emotional needs. Patience, understanding and an open ear are the key to harmonious interaction.