Kindergarten Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common experience for young children and their parents. For a child who has never spent time away from his parents, or who is changing from a familiar childcare environment to the new world of kindergarten, fears---and tears---can easily surface. But there are things parents can do to lessen the emotional trauma of this new beginning.
Check Your Own Anxiety Level
Children are remarkably perceptive, and will pick up on the worries of parents. They may interpret these as validation of their own fears and even magnify them. If you have anxiety about this new experience for your child, deal with those privately by seeking answers to the questions you may have. In front of your child, it's best to model confidence and positive thinking, according to clinical psychologist Mark Crawford. Affirm in your attitudes and actions that kindergarten is a good thing, and that you're glad your child has the opportunity to experience it.
Plan Together
Spend time talking to your child about what kindergarten will be like. Explain the types of activities she will participate in at school, and what a typical day will be like. Often, fear is simply a reaction to the unknown. The more your child knows about what to expect, the less anxiety she may feel.
You can also build positive anticipation for the first day of kindergarten by shopping together for a new backpack and school supplies, and talking about the fun things your child will get to do with all of those new goodies. Psychologist Alan Schwarz also recommends allowing the child to pack a small item in the backpack---something as simple as a note or card---that assures her that Mom and Dad love her and will be back at the end of the school day.
Do a Fly-By Before the Big Day
Make a visit to your child's new school to meet the teacher and see the classroom before the first day of school. This will allow your kindergarten student to take in the new environment and get to know the teacher before the room is filled to capacity with parents and other children. Schwarz recommends showing him where he will sit, where the restrooms are and other things that will make the child feel more comfortable and in control when school begins.
Don't Linger Too Long
On the first day of school, walk your child to class, help her get situated, then have a big hug and kiss and make yourself scarce. The longer a parent hangs around, the more opportunity the child has to focus on him or her, rather than immediately engaging in classroom activities, which is the best cure for first-day jitters. If you hang around too long, your child may have a harder time letting you walk out the door.
This Too Shall Pass
While separation anxiety is a real hurdle for some children, most grow out of it in a short amount of time. Good parenting can speed up that process by helping your child to feel confident and secure both with and without you. If kindergarten anxiety hangs around past the first days of school, talk with your child's teacher or a counselor about strategies for helping your child to cope and move beyond this stage.
Tags: your child, about what, child feel, first school, hangs around