Prepare a Child with Separation Anxiety for Preschool
Meet the Teacher before the First Day of Preschool
According to Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., author of Hold on to Your Kids, children with a strong attachment to their parents need to feel connected to the teacher in order to make a smooth transition to preschool. This is best accomplished by the parent initiating a friendly relationship with the teacher. The parent should also enlist the teacher's help in preventing separation issues before school starts.
The parent can arrange to visit the school and meet with the teacher a few weeks before the first day. Spend some time getting to know the teacher and introduce your child to her. Some families may want to invite the teacher to their home to further the child's level of comfort with her.
Plan to Stay the First Day of Preschool
Many preschools have a special reception for parents on the first day of school. Often, the parents will be in a different room from the class. Some children do well with this arrangement. Others need to have their mother or father in the classroom with them. If your child needs you there, plan on staying.
Read Books about Children Going to School
Begin reading books about going to school a few weeks before preschool starts. Books that have a main character facing uncertainty about starting school are helpful to children dealing with the same issue. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a helpful story about a young racoon who is scared of leaving his mother for school. His mother kisses his hand before school as a reminder of her love for him.
Talk about the Positive and Fun Aspects of Preschool
Talk about school to your preschooler. Mention all the fun things your child will get to do at preschool, like craft projects, music and games. Remind him that your friend, the teacher, will be with him as well.
As you talk, let your child express his worries and fears about school, but don't dwell on them. He may need to mention them to get them off his chest, but try not to delve too deeply. You may inadvertently turn a small fear into a large one if you focus too much on it.
Preschool is an exciting time for young children. Work with your child to avoid separation anxiety. Meet the teacher before the start of the preschool year and read books to your child about school. Talk to him about preschool to ease his fears and plan to stay with him on the first day.
Sources:
Neufeld, Ph.D., Gordon. Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers. Ballantine Books, 2004.
Penn, Audrey. The Kissing Hand. Scholastic, 1993.
Published by Barb Hacker
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- Introduce your child to the teacher before the first day of preschool.
- Read books to your preschooler about starting school.
- Remind your child of all the fun things he will do at preschool.
4 Comments
Post a CommentGreat topic.
Awww ... that sounds so tough. I am glad I never did preschool with my 3; I had a hard enough time sending them to K. Excellent tips!
Excellent topic and tips!
Good tips.