Some children may experience separation anxiety, and I want to share a few suggestions to help ease this transition.

  1. Practice Short Separations: Start with short periods apart and gradually increase the time to help your child get used to being away.
  2. Create a Goodbye Ritual: Establishing a special routine for goodbyes can provide comfort and predictability for your child.
  3. Keep Goodbyes Short: Practice brief and positive goodbyes when dropping off at school. This intervention can help the child learn that separations are temporary and that caregivers will return. By keeping goodbyes short and cheerful, the child can begin to associate separations with positive experiences instead of anxiety, fostering independence over time.
  4. Be Consistent: Try to do the same drop-off with the same ritual at the same time each day you separate to avoid unexpected factors whenever you can. A routine can diminish the heartache and will allow your child to simultaneously build trust in their independence and in you.
  5. Giving Your Child Full Attention: When separating, give your child full attention, be loving and provide affection. Then say goodbye quickly despite their antics or cries for you to stay.
  6. Talk About It: Encourage your child to express their feelings. Acknowledge their emotions and reassure them that it’s okay to feel this way.
  7. Stay Positive: Share positive stories about school and the fun activities they will experience, which can help build excitement.
  8. Keep Your Promise: You’ll build trust and independence as your child becomes confident in her ability to be without you when you stick to your promise of return. 
  9. Read Books Together: Consider reading books about separation and going to school, as this can help normalize their feelings.

Some of the books include: 

  1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Ruth Harper. In this book Mrs. Raccoon teaches her son Chester Raccoon about a family secret to help reassure him and ease his fears when she is not with him. (available in Spanish- Un Beso en Mi Mano)
  2. Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney. This is a story about Llama’s first day of preschool and how he handles the new environment away from mama.
  3. A Jar Full of Kisses by Heather Bennett and Amanda Taylor Spiers. This is a story about “Prickles” the hedgehog that has to say goodbye to her mom and dad for one night. It deals with managing anxiety versus eliminating it.
  4. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. This book is about the connection we have with loved ones, even when we cannot be together physically. It gives kids a practical way to understand that connection.
  5. Your Weren’t With Me by Chandra Ippen and Erich Ippen. This book deals with feelings involved around stressful events and being separated. It is designed to help parents and children discuss the difficulties and find ways to reconnect. (available in Spanish- Cuando no Estabas Conmigo)