Negative Thoughts in Toddlers

Most parents would probably prefer to think of childhood as a time of innocence, free of adult problems and anxieties. In reality, even small children can have negative thoughts and some kids suffer from pervasive anxiety and sadness similar to adult depression. Whether your child has the occasional negative thought or a more serious issue, you can help teach him to regulate his own emotions.

  1. Recognizing Emotions

    • Adults define and name the emotions they experience because it helps them maintain some perspective, but toddlers may not always know what they are feeling and can get overwhelmed by a big emotion. If your toddler expresses a negative thought or seems overcome by his feelings, help him put a name to the emotion. Ask him if he feels scared or sad or angry. Your toddler will have an easier time with his emotions if he knows what they are, that everyone has them and that you understand how he feels.

    Resilience

    • You can help your toddler overcome negative thoughts and develop a resilient mindset by listening with empathy to what she has to say, teaching her how to name her emotions and comforting her when she feels sad or anxious. You can encourage her to express positive thoughts about herself and others by expressing yourself in a positive way and avoiding negative comments about yourself, your toddler or other people. Model a positive attitude and approach to life and most toddlers will pick up the habit of being positive too.

    Acting Out Emotions

    • To get some insight into your toddler's inner life, pay attention to her games. Toddlers act out social interactions and process their emotions through imaginative play. According to the book, "Your Toddler Month by Month," by Tanya Byron, kids learn how to monitor and control their own emotions and behavior by playacting different scenarios. It's not unusual for the characters in a toddler's games to have negative interactions or express negative emotions, but if your child's games seem to reflect pervasive anxiety, negativity or lack of self-esteem there may be a reason for concern.

    Depression in Toddlers

    • According to a 2010 article by ̶0;Parenting, Inc.̶1; author Pamela Paul in "The New York Times," some children may experience problems with anxiety or depression from a very young age. Child psychiatrists are often reluctant to diagnose a young child with a mental health issue as serious as clinical depression or an anxiety disorder, but there is increasing acceptance for the idea that preschoolers and even toddlers may show early warning signs of later problems with anxiety and depression. If your toddler frequently expresses negative thoughts about himself or seems to be unable to enjoy fun activities, see a counselor specializing in young children for assistance.

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