Controlled Crying

'Controlled crying' is the name given to a recognised behavioural management technique which is becoming more popular today. Its application works towards the "extinction" of an unwanted behaviour that may have been learned by the child over time and/or inadvertently encouraged by the parent. Checking on the child is done at progressively longer intervals and a minimal intervention technique is used during these "checks". The principal is simply that the child should not get a positive response from this crying i.e. a reward or parental attention. Thus the child learns that there is no benefit to crying for a prolonged period.
Success rate
This technique is effective if consistently applied. Both parents or carers need to be fully in agreement and work together to use it. There is no point in trying this technique if you cannot tolerate your child crying. One must remain calm and appear unaffected by the child's apparent distress. This can be too difficult for some parents to endure because it can be quite stressful. For these parents different techniques can be applied.

Controlled Crying is useful when the parents are sure that the crying is a result of the child's temperament or when the child is resistant to bedtime. This is a technique that should not be used for children under 18 months to 2 years, except in exceptional circumstances, as it can create feelings of insecurity or abandonment.

Visit www.Dream-Angus.com for more information and support. We offer a free, no obligation, chart to use if you are attempting to implement this technique.