Dealing with separation anxiety with children?

Question

i work in child care and need some strategies for separation anxiety and some different approach to it all?

Answer 1

Have the parent help you out by being very positive and pleasant when leaving the child.  The child will take their cue from the parent.  If the parent looks upset then the child will feel there is reason to be upset.  Have the parent simply tell the child, "I love you and mommy will see you in a little while."

Quickly get the child involved in an activity and don't dwell on the crying or negative behavior.  Be sensitive to them, but just get them involved with the kids quickly.

Answer 2

I agree with jules, it's my experience that when parents linger so does the crying and screaming.  If the parents leave quickly that's usually the number one thing that helps.  Usually after a child bonds with a teacher that will help but some kids cry, that's just them

Answer 3

*Acknowledge their feelings too...don't just say "you're alright".

*Watch how the parent settles their child...look at what works and what doesn't, and copy what does work!

*In the past I used to settle this child by drawing him a Thomas the Tank engine picture, after I noticed that his mum did that for him at the centre sometimes. He would cling onto this picture for most of the day!

*For another child, each day that he was there, I would sit with him and he would do a drawing for his parents. I would fold the drawing into a card, and I would then ask the child what he'd like me to write in the card, and then I just wrote down what he said (which was normally something like "Daddy, I love you"). Awww :(

*For another child who would get extremely upset when her mum left, i'd take her inside to dance to her favourite music. That helped her deal with her anxiety.

*For children who get distressed during the day, also saying to the child that "mummy misses you too" can help some children.

*When you've got a child who is physically clinging onto their parent in the morning, get down on the child's level and say "can I pick you up so that you can give mummy a kiss goodbye?". Then let the child give their mum a kiss and give their mum a wave and encourage the child to do the same. I've found that this is a nicer way of separating a child from their parent.

*When a child is missing their parent and says they want them, don't just say "she'll be here soon"...try saying "she'll be hear after afternoon tea/rest time" what ever normally occurs before the child goes home.

*Try and build really strong relationships with the children, and they will feel more comfortable being cared for by you.

*Remind parents that if they themselves are anxious, then their child will pick up on that. Encourage parents and the child to get involved in a setup experience in the centre to help settle the child.

Answer 4

What is the age of the child? If it is a toddler, then let the parent know that this is a stage that will eventually pass. All children go through a separation and the older the child, the more manipulative he/she can be.

It takes 6 months for a child to be fully comfortable in a child care setting, even if he/she has been attending on a full time basis. Ask the parent to give the child something of theirs, so the child will know that the parent will be coming back to get them.

Help the child count down the time...helps in teaching time too...in one hour mom will be here, or, after snack, mom will be here.

Good luck.