Separation anxiety is normal and can be alleviated with some routine and reassurance. Below are a few tips on how to help your preschooler through separation anxiety.
Prepare
Arrange to visit the preschool with your child a day or two before his first day. Encourage your preschooler to play with classmates while you watch from afar or speak with the teacher. If possible, plan to share a meal with the class to help your preschooler be more comfortable and build relationships.
Develop a special good-bye routine (e.g. rub noses, a silly saying, or a secret handshake) with your preschooler. Use this special good-bye anytime you and your preschooler will be apart.
Ease your preschooler into being away from you. Set up short playdates or outings with friends and family and gradually increase the length of these playdates until you are apart for a full day. Don’t forget to practice your good-bye routine before leaving your preschooler!
Transition Object
Help your preschooler choose a small comfort object (e.g. small stuffed animal or a picture of you) that reminds him of you. Speak with your child about keeping this item in his backpack and visiting it when he needs a bit of comfort. This will reduce the risk of the item becoming lost or destroyed. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a great book to read the night prior to starting preschool. You can draw a small heart on your preschooler’s hand to remind him of you the next morning.
Drop-off
It is important to stay upbeat at drop-off. Remind your preschooler you love her and will be back at a specific time. Do your special good-bye and leave. It will rip your heart out walking away while your preschooler is pleading with you to stay, but prolonging the good-bye only makes it harder for her.
Consistency
Consistency is a huge deal for preschoolers. Be consistent in your morning routines, take your preschooler to school, and be consistent in your pickup routines. It is extremely important to be on time for pickup, so your preschooler doesn’t build further anxiety about being apart.
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