When a young child first attends a child care center, they may experience separation anxiety. However, tears, clinging, and tantrums don’t have to become the norm. If your little one is having trouble letting go when it comes time to drop them off, here’s all you need to know about this type of behavior and how to address it.

How to Identify Separation Anxiety

To an extent, this is a normal part of development, and is most common when a child is between eight and 18 months old. Common symptoms include clinging, crying, sadness, and resisting a new caregiver out of hope it will make their parent return. Physical symptoms, such as headaches and nausea, are also possible. 

These signs may stop around the age of two, when a toddler’s brain begins to recognize that a parent will return for them. At this point, they will also be more familiar with their learning center and their teachers, which will help reduce stress.

How to Help Your Child Overcome This

Although it is most common in young children, people of all ages can experience separation anxiety, including the parents themselves. A child can easily sense their parent’s distress, so make sure you control your own feelings. 

Exposing your child to other people and situations before dropping them off at a child care center may also help them develop trust in others more quickly. For example, schedule sleepovers with other family members during the weekends or take them to your medical appointments.

Avoid dropping your child off when they are sick, hungry, or tired, as these factors can make them more vulnerable to stress. Never chide them for their feelings. Instead, calmly reassure them that you love them and plan on picking them up soon.

The compassionate caregivers at Mendon Child Care Center in Mendon, NY, and the Honeoye Falls area are here to help your child overcome their anxiety. They partner with parents to make children feel safe and engaged while in their child care center, combining play and learning. They offer classes from infancy through grade school. Learn more about their programs online or call (585) 624-2337 to enroll your child today.