Dynamic Minds

Separation Anxiety in Preschoolers

It was the first day of classes yesterday in our preschool.  There were a few incidents of separation anxiety observed in the younger classes.  But since it was the first day of school, we allowed the parents or nannies to stay inside the classroom.  Thankfully the Nursery 2, Kinder 1 and Kinder 2 classes were beyond that.

Separation anxiety in one’s children can actually cause anxiety to the parents themselves.  I’ve observed how some parents are embarrassed when their child would bawl their heads out or would start clinging to their legs like monkeys.  (I exaggerate but I’ m trying to lighten your mood about separation anxiety.)

Remember dear parents:  Fear is normal.  Separation anxiety is normal.  A child who is thrust into a new environment would sometimes need time to adjust.   And guess what?  The good news is the teachers themselves understand separation anxiety and I’m sure all other parents too.  So let the embarrassment fly out the window.  That will ease the stress and pressure most certainly.

I remember a friend who decided to enroll her child in our preschool.   She felt her child was too shy and confessed that he lack social skills since he doesn’t have any playmates.   He had a huge separation anxiety attack!  The first few times he went to school, he would cry himself out so loud that anyone who would hear him would worry.  But the mom, who was a very determined woman, would leave the gate without looking back; she confessed, “Otherwise, his cries will tear my heart.”  Of course, she left her nanny in his care.  That helped.

What would help deal with separation anxiety is for both parents and teachers to work side by side using a positive approach.   A few weeks later, the child no longer cried and we all celebrated his being able to separate from his mommy.  The mom was so grateful about it.

So if you can sense that your child is scared of having separation anxiety, here are some tips that you can use.

Related article: How to Deal with Separation Anxiety in Preschoolers