How to help your child deal with separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a natural stage of a child's development that can occur at different times in their life. It manifests itself as a strong anxiety when separated from a parent or guardian. It is worth knowing how to help a child through this difficult period so that it does not negatively affect their emotional development. In this article, we will discuss effective support methods and answer questions related to separation anxiety, such as separation anxiety in a child, separation anxiety how to help a child, separation anxiety when and separation anxiety after a year.

What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is an intense emotional reaction that occurs when a child is separated from a loved one. It is a natural stage of development in infants and young children, usually occurring between 6 and 18 months of age, but can persist for longer. In some cases, it can also occur in older children.

Symptoms of separation anxiety in children

✔ Crying and anxiety when separated from a parent.
✔ Reluctance to be with other people, even well-known ones.
✔ Sleep problems, especially if the child wakes up and looks for the parent.
✔ Severe reactions to separation, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, or headaches.
✔ Constant need for a parent to be nearby.
✔ Avoidance of new situations and reluctance to go to kindergarten or school.

Separation anxiety – when is it the norm and when does it require intervention?

Separation anxiety is completely natural, but if it lasts longer than a few months or is very severe, it may require psychological support. It is worth consulting a specialist if:

✔ Child's separation anxiety does not improve over time.
✔ The child is showing severe physical symptoms, such as abdominal pain or vomiting.
✔ Separation anxiety still affects the child’s daily functioning after a year.
✔ The child refuses to go to kindergarten or school because of anxiety.
✔ Avoids contact with peers and new situations.

How to help your child overcome separation anxiety?

✔ Gradual accustoming to separation – it is worth introducing short separations and gradually extending them.
✔ Farewell rituals – establishing simple and calm parting rituals helps your child feel more secure.
✔ Don’t prolong goodbyes – long separations can increase anxiety.
✔ Assure your child that you will come back – it is worth talking about it in a calm tone and keeping your promises.
✔ Leave your child something that reminds them of you – it could be a stuffed animal, a blanket or another item that makes them feel safe.
✔ Praise your child for every attempt at independence – positive reinforcement helps build self-confidence.
✔ Create positive associations with separation – engaging your child in interesting activities while their parent is away can help them cope with separation more easily.

Summary

Separation anxiety is a natural part of a child's development and usually goes away with age. However, if separation anxiety is still intense after a year or affects the child's daily functioning, it is worth considering the support of a child psychologist. The key is a calm approach, gradually accustoming the child to separation and building their sense of security. With the right methods, you can help the child cope better with anxiety and gradually become more independent.