CALMING A CRYING BABY TO DO NOT TO DO Keep in mind that crying is a signal that the child's autonomic nervous system is in difficulty and under stress and that the perception of threats is active. Crying provides information: it is necessary to provide relational support and connection, calm the child, and support their brain-body connection. If the child becomes physically aggressive, set a boundary: physically contain them by showing the palm of your hands saying "Don't hit me, don't bite me, don't kick me" and move away from the place where you are if, for example, the aggression is directed at another child. If the crying is inconsolable, use physical containment: hug the child securely and speak calmly (the goal should be to calm excessive crying, provide a protective hug leaving aside the reason why it started). Enhance emotional expression taking into account the child's age (e.g. "It's okay if you feel that way, sometimes when you're sad or angry you cry", "It happens to me too, when..."). Don't think that children use crying to manipulate. Don't believe that, in a certain age group, children are able to control their behaviours and emotions (this ability is acquired and matures between the ages of 3 and 26). Don't use rewards to try to stop crying. Don't use force to physically restrain a child (e.g. by putting your arms around them) or let them cry continuously. Don't use devaluation (e.g. "Boys don't cry", "There's no point in crying, it makes the situation worse", "Don't do that, mommy/daddy gets angry", "You always cry, you're always exaggerating"). Role-play PROBLEM A child is afraid of a medical intervention Empathise and normalise what children are feeling Provide emotional connection, support and emotional containment Use simple and child-friendly language AIMS Location: waiting room of a vaccination clinic Characters: Marco, his mother, and the doctor Case-study: Marco, 4 years old, is very afraid of being vaccinated, he cries and gets agitated. The doctor makes the concept of vaccination more understandable to him by using simple language and metaphors to explain how a vaccine works (e.g. army of warriors, gym for antibodies); he actively involves Marco by asking him to imagine a pleasant place that helps him to distract himself and relax; he praises his courage. EXERCISE 1 Location: emergency room of a hospital Characters: Anna, her mother, and the doctor Case-study: Anna, 8 years old, is in the emergency room after an accident, she has a broken arm and is crying and struggling because of the pain. Her mother is visibly worried and tries to calm the child. The doctor enters the room with an empathetic and reassuring approach, trying to explain in a simple and understandable way the process of the cast treatment. EXERCISE 2 8.1 HANDS ON 363