Hey teachers! Let me ask you a question, do you have “schoolmares” – or nightmares about the first day of school, long before the first day?
It's only natural, because facing the unknown can be scary, it’s only natural.
And each new school year brings many unknowns for both teachers and our little learners.
Welcome to another episode of "Elevating Early Childhood!"
I'm your host, Vanessa, and today we're tackling a topic that many of us face at the start of every school year: separation anxiety.
Yes, that moment when the parents or caregivers leave and the tears start flowing. We've all been there, right?
In today's episode of Elevating Early Childhood, I'm sharing my top 3 tips to help teachers (and families) ease separation anxiety.
Trust me, by the end of this episode, you'll feel ready to face the first day of school with confidence!
Before we can talk about it, let's define exactly what the term "Separation Anxiety" means so we're all on the same page.
You see, young children can become very fearful when they experience a new environment for the first time.
And when you add that they may be separated from their families for the very first time into the mix, it adds to those feelings of being fearful and anxious.
So, the definition of separation anxiety is the fear and anxiety of being apart from family members or caregivers is called separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a natural and normal response for young children.
It's their way of saying, "Hey, I'm not so sure about this new place without my family members."
So, how can we, as teachers, help ease this anxiety and make the transition smoother for everyone involved?
Here are my top three tips.