Separation Anxiety: What Is It And How To Help

Separation anxiety in preschoolers is very real. In fact, separation anxiety is a normal part of child development. 

While it may be normal, as parents and educators, it is our duty to soothe and comfort our children in times of stress and anxiety — even when we are feeling overwhelmed with emotion ourselves. To help everyone transition in separation occurrences, such as school, our team at TLC Schools compiled the following tips and guidelines.  

Keep reading to find more about separation anxiety and how we can help our kids, and ourselves, transition into school the healthiest way possible to help explain separation anxiety and how to help our kids, and ourselves, transition into preschool with as few tears as possible.

What Is Separation Anxiety? 

It’s a condition in which a child becomes excessively anxious when separated from parents. 

The first day of school may be a mix of excitement and anxiety for kids and parents alike, and it’s natural for kids to feel anxious when saying goodbye to mom or dad. However, separation anxiety differs from normal clinginess. It’s important to remember that a little concern over leaving mom or dad is normal, however, some children experience separation anxiety with more extreme symptoms, or experience anxiety that doesn’t go away. 

What Are The Symptoms? 

Behavioral symptoms of preschoolers struggling with separation anxiety are:

• Excessive clinginess, even when at home
• Temper tantrums at times of separation from parents or caregivers
• Crying
• Not wanting to be alone, including not wanting to sleep alone
• Nightmares with a theme of separation

Sometimes if separation anxiety isn’t properly addressed it can develop into a disorder, but with positive support and lots of love, the transition to school will become less of an anxiety trigger, and more of a happy trigger! 

How Do We Combat Separation Anxiety? 

There are many things you can do to thwart separation anxiety before it has a chance to show itself. One important thing you can do is prepare your child. Visit the school and meet the teachers before the first day drop off. There are also some great children’s books you can read to your child: 

• Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Clifford’s First School Day by Norman Bridwell

Make sure you are sending positive signals to your child. Stand up straight, smile, and have a cheerful goodbye for your little one. Then leave without any fanfare. It does help tremendously when you tell your child goodbye and don’t linger and make it a bigger deal than it is. Be consistent with your morning drop off routine and stick to it! Children respond well to consistency. 

It’s also important that you speak to the school, a friend, or someone else who knows the drill for a little perspective. Be sure to talk out any questions, concerns, or anything you are feeling apprehensive about with the school or teacher. 

Learn More About TLC Schools

We love kids, and it is our goal to create an environment where every child can thrive. We focus on building a positive self-image, fostering a lifelong love of learning, and helping children experience success every day.  

Contact us to find out more about TLC Schools or if you are concerned about separation anxiety. It’s one of our goals to provide our families with the tools they need to help them make the best decisions for their family.

We also encourage you to read more of our blogs, including our previous one: Playing As A Form Of Learning.