Separation Anxiety and How to Handle It in Preschoolers: CIPL’s Way

As a young parent, one may wonder how to help their child go to preschool without hesitation or separation anxiety. The first day of school is an important milestone for both children and parents, and it is filled with excitement and delight. However, it’s also natural for children (and parents) to feel anxious about saying goodbye, and tears and meltdowns at school drop-off time. Not knowing what to expect often drives children’s anxiety. They must adjust to a new environment with new people, routines, and rules.  Children usually cry when someone separates them from their parents or caregivers. This distress doesn’t happen randomly; it reflects a phase called separation anxiety—a natural part of growing up. Both parents and educators can help children navigate this phase with confidence and emotional security.   Table of Contents

• Factors that help identify when a child is experiencing separation anxiety:
• Steps to Deal with Separation Anxiety
• Role of CIPL to Deal with Separation Anxiety among Preschoolers
• Don’t miss this:

 

Factors that help identify when a child is experiencing separation anxiety:

  Commonly, these symptoms are acknowledged by both parents and teachers in most of the children   Clinginess Intense crying Afraid of unfamiliar faces Repeated temper meltdowns Refusal to engage Signs of fear and restlessness Outbursts once the caregiver/parent is out of view  

Steps to Deal with Separation Anxiety

  Once the parent or teacher acknowledges the symptoms of separation anxiety in the child, they can help resolve the separation anxiety through subsequent steps:  

• Opt for a Gentle Transition: Help your child get used to separation by gradually practicing time apart. For example, start by leaving them with a reliable relative or familiar friend for a few hours and build up to a full day (if possible).
• Reward them: Be sure to reward them with plenty of praise for how proud you are of their efforts. You can also use a reward chart where your child earns a sticker for each day attended at school without too much resistance.
• Motivate Them: Prepare your child for what to expect and make it a special day to look forward to. Tell them that they’ll be able to make new friends and play with so many children of their age.
• Warm Up Them: Try to reduce the uncertainty by starting to talk about it in the weeks before school starts. Tell them how excited you are for the fun they are going to have. You can involve your child in the preparation process by making an excursion to pick out school supplies, a new lunchbox, or a school bag for their first day.
• Comfort Them with Tiny Notes: Prepare cute notes and keep them in their pockets, promising they can open them once they reach school.
• Self-Regulation or Parent Poise: Plan a way to manage your anxiety. It’s normal for parents to feel anxious and emotional on the first day of school. Think of what you will say when you leave your child and what you will tell yourself to manage your feelings.
• Socialize Them: Try arranging some playdates beforehand with one or two other children. Your child will feel more confident on their first day if there are some familiar faces in the class.
• Be Punctual and Prepared: Plan the pick-up location and be on time to build trust and demonstrate that you will pick them up just as you promised.
• Pack a Familiar Object: Pack with them a familiar object that reminds them of home, such as a favourite toy, photos of the family, a beloved book, a drink bottle filled with a favourite drink, or a lunch box with a special treat, which can be comforting.
•  Assure Security Through Familiar Object: The most important thing to remember at school drop-off is to avoid prolonging the goodbyes. To minimise tears and clinginess from your child, appear confident, happy, and calm at drop-off. Try to set them up with an activity, say goodbye, give one warm hug, and leave when you say you will.
• Celebrate the Milestone:  Tell your child how proud you are of them for bravely completing their first day of school. You may also want to plan a special treat to look forward to, like cooking their favourite meal for dinner or going for ice cream.
• Validate Your Child’s Feelings: Try to be empathetic toward your child’s feelings, but express confidence in their ability to stay at school without you. Don’t say things like “don’t be a crybaby” or “Kiaansh didn’t cry when his mum left.”

 

Role of CIPL to Deal with Separation Anxiety among Preschoolers

  Teachers play a pivotal role by responding to separation anxiety with love, warmth, and reassurance. This helps make the transition smoother for young minds. Centennial International School ensures that our teachers employ various ways, such as  

• Greet each student by taking their name with a smile.
• Pair an anxious child with a confident one.
• Have a playroom to comfort them.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Validate their feelings—acknowledge and accept their emotions, letting them know it’s normal to feel anxious in new situations.
• Encourage independence—gradually giving them responsibilities and opportunities to make decisions can help boost their confidence.
• Be patient—children develop at their own pace, so be patient and offer support.
• Scheduling playdates or promoting pretend play with dolls or stuffed animals can create a safe and comfortable atmosphere for the child.
• Let the kids know about all the wonderful activities that they can perform before going home.

  Anxiety in children is not imaginary or made up. It is a serious concern today and needs to be understood well by both parents and teachers. It helps the child transition to school as smoothly as possible.  

Don’t miss this:

Discover six powerful ways CIPL supports equal opportunities in early childhood education—read the full article here and see how we’re making a difference from the start!