Crying Before Daycare

Even after initial adjustment, children can regress due to:

• Internal struggle between attachment to primary caregiver and developing independence.
• Changes in the environment, like new children in the daycare or at home.
• Short vs. long-term separation differences (playgroups/church may feel shorter and safer).

Positive Discipline strategies include:

• Acknowledge emotions without trying to “fix” them: “You’re sad/mad that you had to come today.”
• Provide reassurance of your presence and care.
• Allow the child to express feelings safely and consistently.

This behavior is typically temporary and developmentally normal:

• Children learn resilience by facing mild stress with supportive adults.
• Consistency and emotional validation help children gain confidence in separation.
• You are not doing anything wrong; your role is to support and model coping skills.