Separation anxiety can be a serious concern for parents of new preschoolers, but there are several ways to mitigate the problem and gently ease their way into school. We dedicate significant time and effort to this as professional childcare providers and early childhood education specialists. So, if you’re getting your child ready for preschool this fall, then please consider these gentle strategies to ease anxiety and support a smooth start to their educational journey.

How to Ease Separation Anxiety for Preschoolers & Toddlers

1. Meet Their Teachers Together – One of the best ways to alleviate anxiety is for a child to meet their teacher with them. It goes a long way for them to see you and the teacher. When you and their teacher greet each other warmly, it shows them, “This is safe and normal!” The goal is to show that you trust the teacher to take great care of them.(Meet our Top-Rated Team)
2. Work on Pre-Preschool Routines – Don’t wait until the first day of school to practice waking up on time. If you do that, it will be more of a culture shock for when they have to do so for school. You should also go over other school-related routines and encourage them with how much fun it will be to meet new classmates.
3. Arrange Playdates with Other Children – Speaking of new friends, it helps to prepare for this by working on their social skills outside of school whenever possible. It helps if you know other parents whose children will be at the same preschool. Having a familiar face can make the new setting feel a bit more comfortable for them.
4. Research More on Preschool Preparation – Thankfully, there is a pretty extensive volume of childcare preparation literature nowadays. Don’t overthink every factor or circumstance, but it never hurts to brush up on the latest research regarding child psychology, routine building, nutrition, activities, and early childhood education.
5. Always Remind Children You’ll Seen Them Again Soon – This is one of the most essential items. Make sure they see you leave rather than “sneaking away,” which can contribute to stress and anxiety. Much of this is common sense, but merits some extra focus, particularly during the first few days of school, which can be intimidating for little ones. 

ABC Child Development: Your Educational Partner for a Loving Childcare Environment

Would you like to learn more about high-quality preschool programs, designed for children, aged 2 ½ to five years old?

We invite you to explore the ABC Child Development Center by visiting any of our preschool locations around Greeley and Windsor, Colorado. We prioritize hospitality, education, and child nurturing to help reduce separation anxiety and support long-term growth. Contact us today to discover more about our academic and childcare programs by calling 970-352-2222.