Entering preschool is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for both parents and children. For many families, the first day of preschool is often the first time that parents and kids will be separated and not know what each one is up to for a prolonged period.

For children, the feeling of anxiety is a normal occurrence. Imagine being with your parents for all hours of the day and night, and then suddenly being left in an unfamiliar environment with total strangers. It’s also normal for parents to experience some anxiety as well, especially if their child is still a baby or toddler. Any parent would be worried about how their child feels in their new environment, as well as entrusting their precious child to people they don’t know very well yet.

As a parent, one thing that you can prepare your child for before you enrol them into preschool is how to deal with their separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is common in children entering preschool, especially those between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Typical signs include tantrums, clinginess, panic, body aches, and more. With time, children can grow out of their separation anxiety, but it’s in the best interest of parents to ease their children into preschool and make sure that it isn’t a traumatic experience for them.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to assuage your own child’s separation anxiety and ease their transition from home life to preschool life. Below are a few helpful suggestions:

Get Valuable Advice from Professionals

In Singapore, where children as young as 2 months are sent to infant care centres, it isn’t hard for parents to get help from infant care Singapore professionals. If you consider the country’s standing in terms of education, it’s safe to say that these are probably some of the best early childhood educators in the world. Take advantage of the advice that you can get from these fine preschool institutions and consult with them about how to handle separation anxiety at home.

Professional advice from early childhood educators will allow you to strategise and implement appropriate coping mechanisms and other techniques, all of which can help your child feel less afraid about going to preschool.

Visit the School Together Before Classes Start

Don’t let the first day of preschool be the first time your child actually steps foot into the building. Even before classes start, take them out for a short visit to the preschool campus if it’s possible to do so. Let them get to know their teachers, carers, and other people they’ll be interacting with. Tour the school with your child and talk about the fun activities they’ll get to do in the different areas on campus, such as playing in the playground, eating at the canteen, reading in the library, and more.

This step is especially important if you think that your child already shows a tendency to have separation anxiety. Visiting the school ahead of the first day of preschool may relieve some of their jitters and set a more positive tone for the rest of the term.

Gradually Practise Being Separated

Another helpful thing that you and your child can do together is to slowly practise spending more time apart. Practise separation in stages, starting with a few minutes of separation to a few hours. Gradually, your child will learn that you will always come back and that it’s OK to not see Mom or Dad for a little while.

Get your baby or toddler used to not seeing you all the time. Every once in a while, leave them in the care of people you trust, such as their grandparents, while you run errands. Eventually your child will become more comfortable being away from you for short periods, and this will do a lot to ease their separation anxiety.

Read Stories or Discuss Situations That Tackle Separation

Before preschool starts, it may also be a good idea to get your child ready by reading stories or talking about situations that involve separation. For example, when it’s time for a bedtime story, pick one that tackles the subject and then talk to your kid about it. Such an activity could inspire them and reassure them of their capability to take on challenges that will help them grow and learn on their own.

Prepare Them for School Through Their Daily Routine

Children thrive on an established daily routine. It helps them feel safe, secure, and calm. To quell some of their separation anxiety, you can ease them into their new routine of going to preschool by preparing their clothes together or picking out their snacks together in the days leading to the first day.

Having a daily goodbye ritual may also help reassure them. It could be a secret handshake, a special kiss, or leaving them a simple note in their lunch box that reminds them of your love. This will give them something to look forward to, even while they’re in school.

Keep Your Composure

As a parent, it’s understandable for you to also feel a bit anxious about leaving your child in the care of people you barely know. But do your best to keep calm and trust that your child will be well taken care of. Children usually pick up subtle cues from their parents, which could affect their mood and disposition. If they feel that you’re very nervous, it won’t be hard for them to feel the same way, and this could worsen their anxiety.

For your own reassurance, as well as that of your child, you can talk to your child’s teachers, carers, or other parents. Before enrolling your child in preschool, you should also do your homework and find out whether you can entrust the preschool staff to attend to your child’s needs. If you’re able to secure your peace of mind about the school, you’ll limit your own separation anxiety—and both you and your child can be optimistic about their first days there.

Takeaway

Many preschoolers perceive this new stage of their life as an exciting new adventure, or a big step towards this independence from Mom and Dad. But an equal number may be afraid of what they’ll encounter, and they may not be as happy to be away from their parents’ sight.

The tips listed above should help you address separation anxiety and make your child’s preschool experience a more memorable and enjoyable one. When they have their first positive experiences in a formal school setting, both you and your child can look forward to a fun and fulfilling school life.

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