Separation anxiety is very common in kindergarten-aged children, especially the ones between the ages of three to six. Toddlers at this age aren’t used to being away from their parents for a long time and may react in a rather chaotic manner when not with their parents.
For kids who are about to begin schooling, getting to adapt to life without their parents for the duration of their schooling hours might be quite difficult. That’s why parents should make sure their kids have the mental preparedness required for schooling before they start.
For parents who wish to find some sort of remedy for their toddler’s separation anxiety, Here are some helpful tips and techniques that can be employed.
Practice quick separations and work toward lengthier ones
Parents should practice leaving their kids with a friend or relative while they go on with some other of their duties and get feedback on the behavior and reaction of the child to their absence. This exercise should be frequent, as it will help the child get used to not having their parents with them always.
When parents are convinced that their kid is stable enough to be able to cope without their presence all the time, then enrolling them in a school should be the next step to take.
Leave a toy with your child to help them cope with the separation
Most children have that special toy and other comfort objects. Parents should ensure they give them lots of these toys when going on any trip without their kids. Doing this will likely keep the kids calmer, busy, and less aware of the absence of their parents.
Introduce any new caregiver gradually
Parents should introduce their kids to their potential caregiver, tutor, or school on time. Doing this will enable the kids to become familiar with and less apprehensive around them.
This technique is important as it prepares the child to adapt quickly to being under the care of the caregiver or tutor when their parents are not around.
Parents should stick to their word
When dropping off the kids at school or going out on a trip, most parents will make promises to their kids about the time of their arrival back home or when they will come to pick them off from school.
Parents must keep these promises and ensure they arrive on time to pick up the kids from school and do not stay too late away from home. This simple act can help the kids fight away their separation anxiety, knowing that their parents will be back to them once again, just as promised.
Parents should make their goodbye quick
Parents should ensure they keep their goodbye quick and less emotional when dropping off their kids at school. A long and overtly emotional goodbye ritual might imply a wrong notion in the kid’s mind. They may wonder why Mum or Dad is being overly emotional and taking a long time to bid them what is supposed to be routine and quick. This situation might make them restless and may lead to separation anxiety for the kids.
