Separation anxiety can happen in children whether they are just beginning toddler care or they’ve been attending day care since infancy. It’s a normal part of their development, and it can start as early as six months of age, typically lessening by the age of two. If your child is experiencing difficulty with separation, here are some tips on how to ease your little one’s anxiety.

4 Tips for Reducing Toddler Care Separation Anxiety

1. Stay Positive

Ask your child about their favorite toddler care activities to build excitement for the day ahead. Try not to get distressed along with them. When you stay calm, it sends the message that everything is okay, even if it doesn’t seem like your child is getting the message all the time. A relaxed, upbeat tone will help you and your child say goodbye each day.

2. Let Your Child Know You’ll Be Back

Reassure your child each day that you or another caregiver will pick them up later. Offer concrete information, such as what time you will pick them up and take them home for family dinner. If you’re doing something fun at home later, let them know so they have something to look forward to — this can help take their mind off their separation anxiety.

3. Offer a Comfort Object

If the toddler care center permits it, offer your child an object from home to take with them, like a small blanket or stuffed animal, to help ease their transition. Although parents sometimes worry that attachment to a comfort object will become unhealthy, this is normal and healthy, and it’s even beneficial to your child’s emotional well-being.

4. Say Goodbye

The hardest thing to do might be to say goodbye to your crying toddler, but this is usually the best thing to do. Make sure a teacher is available to offer comfort, then firmly say goodbye and leave. Don’t try to sneak out when your child isn’t looking since this could create anxiety. However, avoid prolonging your departure, as this may only encourage continued teary farewells.

Cherokee Academy at Clayton, located in Canton, GA, and serving all of Cherokee County, offers full- and part-time early childhood education programs for infants through pre-K, as well as before and after care for school-age students. This family-owned and -operated child care center offers a nurturing, educational environment that encourages learning through play. If you’re interested in learning more about their toddler care or other programs, call (770) 479-4404 or send an online message to schedule a tour and meet the owners and teachers who are committed to preparing kids for the future.