Comments on: Loving Ways to Ease School Separation Anxiety

By: nissy

nissy — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 03:08:00 +0000

What I found was a great way for separation anxiety was to drop by now and again just to reassure him. I would never stay long just long enough to give a assured hug or thumbs up.

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:13:23 +0000

In reply to Lisa H. wow - this is incredibly helpful, thanks!

By: Lisa H

Lisa H — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:03:00 +0000

My daughter has issues separating too. Here is my toolbox:

• Draw on their hand – I used to put a heart on her hand. It is my promise that I would be back later in the day

• Give them something special of yours to hold onto (not too special that it is a train smash if they lose it)! I gave her some of my wedding ribbon. We tied it to her bag. She could look at it at any time

• Give them a photo of you together, or as a family.
Tie this with string and attach it to their body. Remind them that even when we aren’t together we are thinking of them, and they can look at the picture and think of us at any time (ties in nicely with the Invisible String story)

• Put love notes or pictures in their lunchbox – I taught her the “I love you” sign
in sign language and often put a picture of this handsign in her lunch. I also write I heart you. She loves finding them!

• Make something special together that they can take to school e.g. necklace. We put a guardian angel on it. Put it on when you are leaving

• Sometimes mention school or their teacher in a happy moment at home. Don’t harp, just get in and out. For example, “oh, look at the sun. It reminds me of your yellow classroom at school”. Pairing their school with a happy time helps them have positive associations. Don’t over do it, no need to mention it every
day – they’ll be onto you!

• Some kids do better if you get to school early and spend extra time with them before school starts – others do better with drop and go. If yours is one of those who prefers extra time be there early. Play and have fun, then leave before the bell rings so that you can say a proper goodbye . This also gives them time to cry and be settled before others are called to the carpet

• Be the first mom there at collection time. I am not sure why – but this makes a difference!

There are some super books out there to read to your children about separating. My favourites are:

• The Kissing Hand
• The Invisible String
• Llama Llama misses Mama
• The Kiss Box
• I Love You All Day Long

Good Luck

By: Dynelle

Dynelle — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:10:00 +0000

This is so lovely!! I am not a parent, but a teacher of sweet firsties, and what wonderful ideas you have, I will be sure to pass some along to my parents!
Dynelle
http://firstgradefunmrsdunn.blogspot.ca

By: Catherine Holcombe

Catherine Holcombe — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:57:00 +0000

Kindergarten for has been tough for my little one. I gave him a laminated picture of us together because he said he missed me. That really helped get him through the first week. We also spend some special time together each day when he gets home. We are not over it completely, but he is definitely making progress.

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 04:47:39 +0000

In reply to PragmaticMom. wow, you're such a good mama!

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 04:47:25 +0000

thank you so much!

By: PragmaticMom

PragmaticMom — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:47:00 +0000

I used to write an elaborate note every day for my middle daughter when she was in preschool. I just found an old one — it had a picture, message and alphabet around the edges like a frame. It really did help her not to cry at school.