Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Separation anxiety in preschool children - No More Tears for children when parents leave

Separation anxiety is very common and almost all children will experience some degree of it some time in their life. If you've read this article, it is likely that separation anxiety is not just a temporary few tears, but you are looking for a solution to the current need is to find your child or a caregiver of a child.

It 'important to recognize that just as every child's experience separation anxiety from their primary caregiver is different, so will theThe strategies we use to help them stand out. The ideas that follow are suggestions that I found useful for many years in childcare and as a parent. Adapt to the situation of each child, or use them to fuel your thinking of other strategies.

Also before the child and parents Say Goodbye
It 's amazing how many parents prefer an invisible "Get Away," while their child is busy at the moment. I found that while parents can better assist not cry for her child, this feelingactually adds anxiety of the child in the future, separations, since it is uncertain whether mom or dad may disappear because they are not looking. It nourishes the anticipation rely on their caregivers and to speak of children actually said to me: "Where is mother?" Will he come back? ".

E 'for parents to spend time with their child, tell them how much I love them, tell them where to go and how long is the last major. Even if the child is disturbedFirst, it adds confidence. This action may need to be repeated as a ritual for many days / weeks, but the entire time that the child's separation anxiety is to reduce rapidly in most children. The more that parents can trust, usually the faster the child feels safe to return to their parents when they say.

According ready-to-child separation
This does not mean repeating unhealthy, the child and the parents are separated. However, report regularly to the time ofDivision prepares the child and allows some time to adjust. For example, Lucy (2 years) wanted a weekend with their grandparents while their mom and dad had their first weekend away. In the week before telling his mother after 3-4 times during the weekend: "You will sleep at night twice Nan. It's not that fun: You can wear your pajamas and pillow" event to help create excitement expectation fear expectation attract.

IfChildren regularly take children to do the 'separation anxiety in progress, could prove a weekly chart routine with the help of photos, which days the child attending child care. Upon awakening, for example, the parent can show the picture of childcare is Monday, but the day after the photo of a day at home with Dad. The alternative is suddenly caught in the car on the road to the environment of care, but my experience is that assistance in the longer term more.Children need routine and reliability for the trust that sustains them feel secure and less anxious to develop.

Third Let the children for short periods and gradually extend the time
Children need to know in general and people of faith to feel safe in their care. Test, so they are safe for an hour or two, and slowly extend the time as the child feels more. This includes formal childcare. Parents should try, in collaboration with the center of work and their workObligations. This could also mean that the working day for the first day the child is in care. Parents are more likely to be relaxed and are easily accessible to collect the child after a few hours.

Fourth Spend time to know what the baby with the caregiver and feel the presence of the Secure parent / primary caregiver
Plan ahead and visit the individual child care, or spend 1-2 hours in child care with the formal child. The primary carergiver should remain with the child for the duration,allows children to explore and understand the person and the environment.

Fifth That something special with the child who belongs to the parent / primary caregiver
It 'important to emphasize that this is not something of monetary value or sentimental, you know that if broken or lost, is irreplaceable. Allow the child to have a photo of father / mother, mother's scarf, Dad T-shirts, or anything of importance that attachment to the child and parent can bring comfort.

Let the sixthChild to have a familiar object or a toy of their
A Teddy, bring blankets, dolls or other toys, safety, comfort. Even in this case should not be of great monetary or sentimental value.

Help the seventh child / mother dad Return to understand.
This may be simple but often overlooked. You can also simply point out that "Dad / Mom will soon be back." I remember one of my first positions in child care, many children speak a language other than English, andthe first sentence I learned in this language was "Mom is coming soon." I remember later in the set about 10 years! Older children may benefit from visual representation, calendars, photo or image in the form of what happened on the day and return to the days when mom / dad. Older children can begin to use time clocks and more formal measures.

8th have a special ritual that parents and children together to do when they gather
In formal child care, this can be a work ofChildren and parents together to make half, or perhaps the time may very special to Have a house like reading time or visit the park This helps the child to look forward to the days of segregation, because at the end is a special treat.

Ninth Encourage family caregivers to the family
Where appropriate, a photo of the caregiver or care at home (eg refrigerator) allows the child to a person familiar place to see. Older children can talk about the caregiver, helpsBuild trust and familiarity.

10th Help The parent / primary caregiver through the process of separation
Most parents feel comfortable in the separation process, the more they can help the child. Separation anxiety is often a harrowing emotions observed, but can at the moment. The number of times I like playing children from the parents saw his car, is amazing. However, the last image of the parent is their child in distress. Where possible andif necessary, use a video camera used to capture the happy child in the games. It is not always sufficient for the parent company "which is fine if you can say." Some parents need evidence. If the video is not available, try a camera before. The more relaxed parents, the more the child senses this and decreases their anxiety.

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