Looking forward to seeing our Burr students and parents again!
I'm hoping that our children are excited to return to school, but it is completely normal to also have some anxiety along with that excitement. The staff does too! Below is a hand-out on managing anxiety about separating from parents and returning to school. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need additional support or if your child is struggling beyond what is within the typical range.
Also, please feel free to contact me directly at any time if you have questions about your child, or to leave an anonymous note with a question about child development in the envelope on my bulletin board ("The Psych Corner") between the nurse's office and main office. Your questions are likely to help others as well, and I will respond to anonymous questions on my website and/or bulletin board as a general topic for all to read.
Wishing you a smooth transition into the school year.
~Julie
I'm hoping that our children are excited to return to school, but it is completely normal to also have some anxiety along with that excitement. The staff does too! Below is a hand-out on managing anxiety about separating from parents and returning to school. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need additional support or if your child is struggling beyond what is within the typical range.
Also, please feel free to contact me directly at any time if you have questions about your child, or to leave an anonymous note with a question about child development in the envelope on my bulletin board ("The Psych Corner") between the nurse's office and main office. Your questions are likely to help others as well, and I will respond to anonymous questions on my website and/or bulletin board as a general topic for all to read.
Wishing you a smooth transition into the school year.
~Julie
Fun Psych Fact: A 2011 study indicated that people remember information BETTER when it is written in an unfamiliar or less legible FONT. Try posting things for yourself, your children, or your spouse in a different font!
(Scientific American Mind Magazine, May/June, 2015).
(Scientific American Mind Magazine, May/June, 2015).
Back-to-School Anxiety??
It is normal for children to experience some anxiety about separating from their parents after summer, beginning an unknown routine, and spending the day with new people in a new environment. Preschool-aged children are especially vulnerable, as separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage for them. For most children, the anxiety is short-lived and resolves without intervention as the child develops trust and security in both herself, the caregivers, and the new routine. For others, though, it is a more difficult process and some additional strategies may be necessary.
Tips for Reducing Separation Anxiety
What to Expect with Preschooler Separation
Resources: Separation Anxiety in Children, MaryAnn George, 2010; Separation Anxiety in Preschool, Carla Snuggs, 2010; Factors that Contribute to Separation Anxiety, Carla Snuggs, 2010.
dit.
It is normal for children to experience some anxiety about separating from their parents after summer, beginning an unknown routine, and spending the day with new people in a new environment. Preschool-aged children are especially vulnerable, as separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage for them. For most children, the anxiety is short-lived and resolves without intervention as the child develops trust and security in both herself, the caregivers, and the new routine. For others, though, it is a more difficult process and some additional strategies may be necessary.
Tips for Reducing Separation Anxiety
- Prepare your child by telling and showing him what to expect (i.e. visiting the school, visiting the classroom, talking about the daily routine, telling him where the bus will pick him up, etc.). Make a social story for young children or children who already struggle with anxiety.
- Don’t sneak away! It can be traumatic and undermines trust. Make sure to follow through with promises for pick-up as well.
- Listen to and validate your child’s fears. Don’t try to talk her out of them, but offer understanding that it is stressful for her.
- Check your own anxiety. Parents often contribute to child’s anxiety because the child can sense the parent’s anxiety about the separation. Remain confident, positive, and firm about the separation, even if you are nervous inside. (i.e. “You are okay, You will spend the day at school and then I will pick you up after snack, I love you”, hug, and then exit. Staying to make sure that your child is okay delivers the message to your child that you are not sure that your child will be okay....Talk about any concerns or negative feelings with someone when your child is not around.
- If your child still struggles after 4 weeks or if your child has signs of separation anxiety disorder (i.e. severe distress, extreme fear for safety, unrealistic worries about caregiver, self-destructive behavior, temper tantrums, nightmares, physical symptoms or vomiting, etc.), seek further consultation.
What to Expect with Preschooler Separation
- Crying/Clinging at drop-off.
- Crying at pick-up, because they are reminded of how they felt at drop-off.
- Carrying security items around throughout the day.
- Anger/distance toward parent when parent returns.
- Relapses when sick, tired, after vacation, or after a big family change (i.e. new sibling, move, divorce, change in caregivers, etc.)
Resources: Separation Anxiety in Children, MaryAnn George, 2010; Separation Anxiety in Preschool, Carla Snuggs, 2010; Factors that Contribute to Separation Anxiety, Carla Snuggs, 2010.
dit.
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