Being a parent is both a challenge and an emotional rollercoaster. When you first leave the apple of your eye in a daycare or school, you feel your heart sinking. Your child feels the same!
But we’re here to tell you that this separation anxiety or otherwise called separation protest is normal. You can overcome these fears with your child and the teacher through effective routines.
In this guide, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions from anxious parents just like you. Read to get answers to your questions:
How Much Separation Anxiety is Normal?
Extreme anxiety followed by the fear of being away from parents is common to the child development. As an infant, your child gets started easily and later develops a fear of strangers.
As your child becomes a toddler, they fear darkness and separation from parents. At school-age, they fear natural events and injury.
The good news is that it’s normal for your child to experience separation anxiety. Normal separation anxiety will look something like this:
- Clinging to parent
- Crying
- Persistent upon separated from a parent
- Loud protesting
When Does This Anxiety Become Problematic?
A normal separation protest doesn’t last very long. It eventually resolves within a span of a few weeks. Your child will realize that you’ll return, and it will ease their fear. But it can become problematic when the anxiety impairs your child’s ability to function daily.
If their behavior exhibits excessive and chronic anxiety, you can discuss with school staff and a clinician to intervene. Note that most separation anxiety is normal, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your child at the daycare or preschool.
Why Does Separation Anxiety Happen?
A lot of parents wonder why their child experiences anxiety. Various reasons are at play in this case. Since it occurs in early childhood between 7 months to 2–3 years, your child goes through a phase. So the reasons also vary.
At the time of preschool or school separation, a child feels anxious because they fear their parent will not return. With a unique separation routine, the child can begin to trust school staff and realize that separation is temporary.
What Can I Do to Help My Child?
Parents are often concerned about helping their children feel at ease in a new environment. It’s also a defense mechanism for many parents to feel less anxious themselves. In any case, know that each child is different, but you can follow these tips to support your child:
- Reserve extra morning time with your child before dropping them at the child care.
- Don’t rush things because children can sense it and may feel abandoned.
- Create a goodbye routine with the help of staff. Children are more at ease when they know what to expect. You can create a high-five routine, a special song or simply a hug and a kiss. Find what works for you.
If you’re looking for a family-oriented, best infant care and Montessori preschool, Centerra Ranch Montessori is your answer. We’re a daycare and Montessori school based in Katy, offering programs for infants, toddlers and bridge-to-kindergarten. Find out our programs here or contact us for an instant query.
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