Although the separation anxiety dissipates as your child gets older, some of them continue to suffer, especially when it comes to preschool. For parents, this can be quite distressing. In some cases, it becomes a source of guilt, which increases the anxiety of your child. In this article, we are going to give you a few tips that will help you support your anxious child. Read on to find out more.
Help them get used to Separation
First of all, you may want to train your child so that they get used to separation. For example, you can leave them with caregivers for a couple of hours first. Gradually, you can increase the separation time.
Train your Child
In most cases, tired and hungry kids are cranky and clingy. In the same way, rushed kids are more prone to stress. You need to reevaluate your home routines if your kid shows some signs of clinginess and anxiety. For example, if they are suffering from anxiety, you will notice that they are not getting enough sleep. They may not be getting their breakfast on time. Therefore, you may want to make some simple adjustments to your routines.
Follow a Quick Goodbye Ritual
The good thing about rituals is that they are personal and reassuring. It is better that you have your own goodbye ritual. It does not have to be special. Giving a kiss or waving hands can be more than enough. As an alternative, your child may also enjoy a low five or high five. After you have said goodbye, don’t look back or stall. The idea is to avoid making it a big deal.
Allow them to take a toy with them
If the child care or pre-school does not have strict restrictions, you may allow your child to take their favorite toy or photo with them. This will provide your kid with an additional layer of security as you won’t be there physically.
Stay Confident
Often, your confidence will have a great impact on the confidence of your child. Therefore, you may want to follow a reassuring approach by dropping them at school.
Involve a Teacher or Carer
It is better that you talk about the matter with the teacher of your child. Apart from this, you can also talk about this with the caregiver. This will help you make them involved in the process, which will make your child feel comfortable. They will feel more secure in the company of the teacher or caregiver.
Look for Signs of Sadness
It is important to keep in mind that separation anxiety is a part of the development of your child. However, some kids are more sensitive, which is why they feel more separation anxiety. This is the reason this type of situation requires intervention from a professional. In some cases, a high level of anxiety may be a symptom of a disorder. Given below are some of the symptoms that will help you decide if your child needs the help of a professor.
- The level of anxiety is beyond the normal range
- Excessive agitation
- Avoiding normal activities
- Chronic separation anxiety
In short, if you follow these steps, it will help you help your child reduce their separation anxiety.