helping children with separation anxiety

SEPERATION ANXIeTY

  1. PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME. WHEN EVER POSSIBLE, LET YOUR CHILD KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE A CHANGE IN ROUTINE.
  2. MAKE TRANSITIONS SHORT, SWEET AND CONSISTENT
  3. VALIDATE THEIR FEELINGS
  4. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WHAT YOU SAY
  5. ENPHASIZE PATIENCE
  6. ENLIST HELP

which children are at risk for separation anxiety disorder? SAD happens equally in
males and females. But children who have parents with an anxiety disorder are more
likely to have SAD. ~ standfordchildren.org
Anxiety always doesn’t look like a nervous child. Sometimes it looks like a quiet angry difficult child day by day. ~ Unknown
Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at ounce. Breathe. You’re strong. You go this. Take it day by day. ~ Karen Salmansohn
Anxiety is when butterflies in your stomach turn into bees. ~ Bridgett Devoue
A comforting idea for children coping with separation anxiety. During their parents’ younger days, they brought their favorite blanket or stuffed toy to school. They do this to feel secure about going to an unfamiliar place. For their children it may be their parents’ bracelet, hair tie, or even a handkerchief. Anything they can hold works fine.
When children hold onto it, they can cope with their fears. This makes them relax and calm down just in time for school. This reassures them that they will see their parents at the end of school.

How to stop separation anxiety at school?

Does and Don’ts that may be helpful.

  1. DO start talking about what’s going to happen before it happens.

  2. DON’T introduce the idea of worry or fear if they are not showing any signs of
    those emotions.

  3. DO show them their school environment before they need to go on their own.

  4. DON’T go overboard.

  5. DO create a good bye routine and stick to it.

‘There are no good byes for us. Where ever you are, you will always be in my heart.”~ Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Spiritual leader
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying good bye so hard.” ~ A.A. Milne, British author (Winnie-the – pooh)
“Without fear there cannot be courage.” ~ Christopher Paolini, American Author

why is separation anxiety most present in children?

Separation anxiety is developmentally appropriate in young children, with onset occurring about 6-12 months. This is sign that there developed a secure attachment to a caregiver or a typical parent. However, this anxiety should eventually decline over time. If separation anxiety is still occurring at age 6-7, a child may be diagnosed with SAD. SAD is one of the most common childhood anxiety disorders. Research shows that about 1-4 % of the general pediatric population has SAD, but it occurs in about half of children being professionally treated for anxiety disorders. ~ psychcentral.com
“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” ~ Roy T. Bennett, author
“ At the end of the day it’s about how much you can bear, how much you can endure. Being together, we harm nobody; being apart we extinguish ourselves.” Men build too many walls not enough bridges. ‘we take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.” ~ goodreads.com
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