One of the challenges of running a child care centre in Perth is that many “first-timers” are suffering separation anxiety. Separation anxiety happens in babies and toddlers, but tends to be even more frustrating at the preschool age because it is seen as a “relapse.” Most parents think they have “cured” their child of separation anxiety as a toddler, only to have it resurface again as a preschooler.
Why the “Relapse” Happens
When a child goes to a child care centre or to school, they have numerous issues that contribute to separation anxiety. They don’t know when their mum is coming back. They are around a bunch of strangers and don’t know who to trust. Even if they trust the teacher, they have to share her with all of the other students.
How to Help Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety
Validate Their Feelings
Tell your child that it is OK to feel anxious over separation or going to day care. It can be helpful to bring up other times when they were nervous and it came out OK. You want your child to know that the feelings are normal and that they will be just fine.
Plan to Spend More One-on-One Time
Spend more time with your child as a “reward” for being separated. This can be done covertly without telling the reason why, or you can make the plans just before dropping your child off.
But Don’t Cave in…
If your child’s separation anxiety results in tantrums, don’t give in by letting them stay home. They are going to have to work through the issue eventually anyway; don’t prolong the process by “giving in.”
Contact a Cuddles Childcare Centre in Perth
At all of our locations, we are experts at helping your child feel safe and comfortable. We have a very high ratio of carers to children. At Cuddles Childcare Centre, no child ever has to feel like they have been “left on an island.”
