Separation anxiety: How you can help your child go back to school

Separation Anxiety In Children: Although schooling is a really important part of life, kids tend to cry and be anxious when it comes to leaving for preschool. This is because they are uncertain about their surroundings and want to be in the same comfort they are used to. Separation anxiety is something that we all feel. In some cases, it lasts till the kids leave for college.

The world is starting to go back to normal after the pandemic, but it has made us more anxious than ever. Fear is instilled in the minds of parents and kids. Kids are going back to school after a year or for the first time can face separation anxiety.

If your kids are crying, throwing a tantrum or feel anxious when they are leaving for school, there are certain ways in which you can help your child ease the pain and help them get over the anxiety they are feeling.

Leave your child with a caregiver. Firstly for a short period of time and then for longer. This will help them understand that you will come back to them. So, when they are leaving for school, they know that you are coming back to pick them up.

Communicating is an important aspect of any relationship. Talk to them about school and the change in the environment they will see. You can tell them what they can expect from the school and how they will learn new things and meet people of their own age. If they are going back to school, then tell them what differences they will see in their school environment.

Having a goodbye ritual will reassure your child and they will look forward to this ritual. Make sure to keep this ritual short and fun. If you prolong the goodbye, it can make your child more anxious to change and they are more likely to cry.

You should pay attention to their feelings and if you notice that they are not acting in the same way they do, don’t be afraid to talk to them. If they are feeling anxious, let them know that it is completely okay to feel that way and it is valid. It is your duty to look out for your kids and pay attention to their feelings.

Do not lie to them if you don’t know an answer to their question. Be honest with them and reassure them that things will go fine. There is nothing to be afraid of and the new environment will benefit them in many ways.

You can get them a small comforting toy or object that they can hold onto till the time you come back to pick them up. This memento will keep them grounded and calm their anxious nerves.

Do not rush them into a school. Take it slow and provide extra support to your child. The changes that they will face this year can make them more anxious, so be their support system and do not rush them into these changes.