Home Hot Topics Articles Directors' Choice Awards About Us / Contact Us Activities & Curriculum Activities for Outcome-Based Learning Arts & Crafts Music for Learning Recommended Reading Sharing Boards: What Do YOU Think? NEWSlink Current National News Conference Calendar Topics In Early Childhood Education Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education Job Sharing Board State Licensing Requirements Stay Connected! Each month we'll send you an email filled with articles and ideas for your classroom. Subscribe Now Date: 9/1/2007 8:44:00 AM Author: pneely (palkenneely@hotmail.com) Subject: separation anxiety Love and courage to you, dear teacher. A quick, cheerful goodbye from parents will non-verbally communicate to any age that parent trusts you will meet the child's need. Let parent decide to hand child to you when parent is ready. Do not let parent linger more than a few minutes, or else have them walk the child around outside your classroom. Lingering parent communicates to child that parent does not trust you will meet child's need. After 5-7 days child should begin to adjust to trust you and will stop crying sooner. There may be some that will not stop after weeks. Suggest a different drop-off strategy, perhaps some other person to carry child to class (director) from car. Assure parent h/she can check in by phone as often as needed. Assure parent that separation anxiety is a normal, very HEALTHY action by child. Assure parent h/she is doing a great job meeting child's needs. Classroom helps can be varied: soft, lullaby-type music, singing lullaby-type songs, speaking in a low, soothing voice, create a play "tent" under a card table filled with pillows or blankets so child can "hide" while you can still observe them. Rocking chairs, musical toys set on very low sound, a lovey or pacifier or bottle for those 2 and under can help the transition, too. Ask for breaks when YOU need them. Your director can be a huge asset if you communicate well your stress level. Name: Email: Subject

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