Training Wheels Needed

Training parents about all things preschool and kids aged 18 months–5 years

  • Shop
    • I Have Butterflies In My Tummy
    • Song: Butterflies in My Tummy
    • Song: It’s Clean-Up Time
    • Song: Extra-Special Day
    • Song: The Learning Tree
  • About Us
    • What Is Butterflies In My Tummy?
    • Bye, Bye Tantrums
    • Book Rachel Raybin
  • Behavior
    • Tantrums
    • Anxiety & Fear
    • Bedtime
    • Potty Training
    • Biting
    • Meal Time
    • Development Red Flags
  • Education
    • All About Preschool
    • What I Need To Know
    • Butterflies In My Tummy
    • Skills
    • Lunch
  • Family
    • Siblings
    • Travel
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Safety
    • Apps, Toys & Games
  • Holidays
    • Fall
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas & Hanukkah
    • New Year’s
    • Groundhog Day
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • Parties
  • Fun Stuff
5 Steps to Reduce Separation Anxiety in Children

5 Steps to Reduce Separation Anxiety in Children

July 18, 2022 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

Does your child know how to deal with being away from you? You need to ask yourself this question right now. If you’re not sure or the answer is no then your child has separation anxiety and you have some work to do. You need to create opportunities to reduce separation anxiety in your child so when the time comes your kid knows how to handle it.

What is Separation AnxietyUpset child with separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is a normal part of child development that usually manifests itself between ages 8 and 14 months. Separation anxiety can be displayed in various, but usually similar ways. For instance, refusal to go sleep or go to school without you being there. Or fears of being left alone and something bad will happen to them. If your child is displaying these actions and emotions when they are older they may have separation anxiety disorder.

Why Dealing with It Is Important

It’s your job as a parent to prepare your child for the world. And we’re not just talking 20 years down the line with a full on career and family of their own, we’re talking the more immediate future. Your child needs to be able to interact with other children their age as well as other family members, friends and going to school. Going to school for the first time can cause stress for children, especially when they are not prepared. There are so many new things awaiting them on their first day. If your child is not ready to leave you we have 5 easy steps that will reduce separation anxiety in your child.

5 Strategies to Reduce Separation Anxiety

1. Playgroups

Group Of Mothers With Babies At Playgroup

Playgroups are a great way to introduce your child to a group environment. Engage your child in active play then pull back. Sit on the sidelines. Every time your child comes to you encourage them to return to the group and interact with their peers. This will set the foundation for learning to interact with others while still having a sense of security because you’re close by.

2. Play Date at Your House

Reduce separation Anxiety by having playdates with activites

Invite a friend over for a playdate and set up several activities for the kids. Then you need to leave the room. This step is the beginning of a slight pullback. Your child will be in a comfortable, safe and familiar environment. While you will be out-of-sight the feeling of security is still present. Of course, you need to monitor their play, but they do not need to know it.

3. Activity at Home then Abroad

Find an activity that your child truly loves like riding a bike, coloring, cooking, etc. Have a friend or family member do this activity with them at your house first while you grocery shop. Repeat the activity at your friends or family members home.

4. Dropoff at a Familiar Place

Girl and grandparent together as a way to reduce separation anxiety

Consider leaving your child with a family member or close neighbor. Pick a place and person that your child is familiar with. This step slowly ups the sense of distance between you and your child. We know it’s hard for you too, but you need to do it. Nothing big, just walk around the block and come back. Repeat this several times a week each time increasing the duration that you’re away. Always let your child know you are coming back. This is very important.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

Over the course of several weeks and months, you need to repeat all of these steps many times over. Start off slowly and then increase the frequency. Gradually build up your child being used to you not there all the time. This is the only way it works. Remember, the longest journey starts with the first step.

Your child is only on loan for a few years and it’s your job to help them become independent happy adults. Preschool is the very best place to give your child wings. You will have that pit in your stomach every time they walk out the door but keep at it because it’s the right thing to do. And the right thing and the easy thing are rarely the same. Just wait until you drop them off at college. Talk about drama!

Related Posts

  • 36 Kid-Friendly Activities for Every Season
  • girl having a temper tantrumYour Kid’s A Brat, Let Me Help
  • role playing reduces school anxietyUse Role Playing To Relieve School Anxieties In Your Child
  • Social Insecurity: 6 Ways To Overcome Shyness
  • 6 Ways to Build Attachment

Filed Under: Anxiety & Fear Tagged With: crying, dropoff, playdates, playgroups, tantrums

« The Best Cookbooks, Kitchen Tools and Recipes for Kids
Use Books & Videos to Prepare Your Child for Preschool »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

be in the know

  • Join the thousands of others. Don't miss out on the insider information.
  • Not required, but we like to be polite.
  • Unsubscribe whenever. We won't sell, share or spam your email. Period.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

prepare your child for school

Butterflies In My Tummy Poster

Cart

Like us on Facebook

About the Author

Rachel holds a BS in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Innovative and academically forward in her successful “Mommy and Me” curriculum and interactive birthday parties, Rachel was encouraged by her large following of dedicated parents and their children to develop a preschool program. Read More...

Copyright © 2023 · The Mother Load Company, L.L.C.