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Helping Your Child Get Through Separation Anxiety

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If you are enrolling your child in a daycare program, and they have never been away from you for an extended period in the past, you may want to take some precautionary steps in advance of classes in helping with separation anxiety. Here are a few methods you can use to help your child get over the fear of being away from you, making their experience at daycare one they will enjoy as a result.

Enroll In Activities

If your child has not had the chance to be involved in activities outside the home, having them enroll in a few where they are able to see other children would be beneficial in helping them get used to being around others. See if your local library has a reading program available or have them join a tumbling, ballet, or martial arts class. 

Classes where your child is actively participating will distract them if you should happen to walk away to another part of the room or building while they are busy. Whisper to them that you are going to be within view, and see how they react to staying with the other children. If the activity is one they enjoy, you may be delighted to find they seem all right without you being right next to them.

Visit The Facility

Find out if the daycare services you are choosing have a time where you can come visit with your child. Usually daycare facilities will not allow visitors during times where other children are there because of security issues. It is best for your child to see the facility away from a crowd when they first go inside. This allows them the chance to look around without feeling vulnerable with other children watching. Have your child meet their caregivers so they will be familiarized with both the facility and the staff when they show up for the first day of classes.

Make The Idea Exciting

Have other family members mention the daycare frequently to your child during the weeks leading up to their first day. Bring your child shopping for new clothing, a backpack, or a lunchbox so they feel they have a choice in what they bring along or wear to the school. Getting them actively involved will make them more apt to be excited about the prospect in going. 

Tell stories to your child about your first days in a new school so they can have someone else's experience to relate to when they go. Have them cross off days on a calendar to show them how many days they have left before their first day. You may find your child cannot wait to go!


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