Separation Anxiety. Tips for Parents and Kids Starting School
There is no greater joy and excitement than keeping those first steps into School life. However, more often than not, this joy is accompanied by a tinge of sorrow of having to be separated from your parents. This is quite natural. It is quite common for children and parents, alike, to feel distressed while being away from each other.
This article shares some important tips for both parents and kids to help ease the first day of school anxiety and ensure a smooth transition
Separation Anxiety in Kids
It is common for young children to stay away from parents, especially during their formative years which involves education to a great extent. This leads to emotional anxiety in children, manifesting their responses like crying or feeling very restless in school. This condition can be termed as Separation Anxiety.
It is therefore important for parents, to prepare themselves and their children for the time away from each other.
Tips for Parents:
- Parents need to keep discussing the new experiences their children are going to gain in school.
- Encourage your kid by visiting school multiple times with them and discussing fun activities to look forward to along with education.
- Create a daily timetable for your kid. It can begin from the point your child gets up in the morning followed by routine activities leading to school.
- Prepare your children for times away from you by keeping them under the responsible eyes of a trusted caregiver. This can help as a short-term option and a good beginning.
- Bid a warm and cosy goodbye to your child ensuring them that you will be back with them soon.
- Spend some good moments with your children after school. Talk to them about how they felt. This can motivate them for the next day.
- Stay calm and confident.
Tips for Children:
- Help your child to carry a small toy to keep him/her occupied once the teacher finishes the class, till you arrive to pick them up.
- Encourage your child to mingle with other children in the class and greet them daily.
- Encourage your child to enjoy their time in school and be friendly with teachers and other students.
- Show your child some exciting photographs of eminent personalities who have achieved greatness in their respective chosen fields of profession.
- Encourage your child to participate in sporting activities.
Separation anxiety is common but can be managed. The need of the hour is to understand your children and support them. Patience is the key here and slowly but surely; your children will love school. To know more, feel free to connect with our experienced counselors at NPS, KR Puram, trusted by many as the best CBSE School near KR Puram that continues to deliver champions, year after year.
