Teacher Discussion Forums

Any suggestions on how to handle separation anxiety in preschool children? As you all know, this can be very chaotic.

I think first you need to look at the age of the child who is suffering separation anxiety. I work in Hong Kong and a lot of kids are sent off to formal school way to early in my opinion, 2 years old......, so are basically not ready for this type of education. That said generally, most preschool teachers and reception year teachers advise parents to deliver the child to the teacher, hug child dearly with words of encouragement, see you later etc and then depart the premises. The teachers and assistants in the classroom are very experienced in handling anxious children. Of course if the anxiety is going on and not abating, then perhaps a more thorough investigation of the causes are in order. Rewarding and praising children for 'risk taking/bravery' go a long way too.

I think first you need to look at the age of the child who is suffering separation anxiety. I work in Hong Kong and a lot of kids are sent off to formal school way to early in my opinion, 2 years old......, so are basically not ready for this type of education. That said generally, most preschool teachers and reception year teachers advise parents to deliver the child to the teacher, hug child dearly with words of encouragement, see you later etc and then depart the premises. The teachers and assistants in the classroom are very experienced in handling anxious children. Of course if the anxiety is going on and not abating, then perhaps a more thorough investigation of the causes are in order. Rewarding and praising children for 'risk taking/bravery' go a long way too.

Sally Olsen wrote:http://montessoritraining.blogspot.ca/2 ... gTT7q6aGRo

Thanks, this is very helpful Sally.