SUGGESTIONS FOR SEPARATION ANXIETY
1. Prepare the night before making sure bookbag and clothes are ready and waiting and the breakfast decision has been made.
2. Have a chart at home showing in order the steps you and your child will take to get ready for school. Include getting in car and out of car upon arrival at school.
3. A similar chart will be used at school showing the order of the day's activities. This chart can be used as a communication tool from school to home each day.
4. Possible interventions:
a. Does your child watch TV? What does she do when she doesn't like what's on a show? Change the channel! So when he or she is thinking about the "what ifs" that scare him or her, change the channel of thoughts.
b. Allow her to earn the right to text, email, or call mom during the day. I would not suggest a phone call, but that is a possibility.
c. Use of a worry doll. Let her tell her worries/fears to the doll and practice leaving them with the doll.
5. Be careful not to speak about feared things where she can hear. Be mindful of too much information.
6. Build relationships with teacher, assistant, other staff members.
7. Give "jobs" in the classroom.
8. Ask child to identify feelings. Equip her with the ability to voice what she is feeling. Use pictures and ask her to point to the feeling she has at that moment.
9. Express trust in school and staff.
1. Prepare the night before making sure bookbag and clothes are ready and waiting and the breakfast decision has been made.
2. Have a chart at home showing in order the steps you and your child will take to get ready for school. Include getting in car and out of car upon arrival at school.
3. A similar chart will be used at school showing the order of the day's activities. This chart can be used as a communication tool from school to home each day.
4. Possible interventions:
a. Does your child watch TV? What does she do when she doesn't like what's on a show? Change the channel! So when he or she is thinking about the "what ifs" that scare him or her, change the channel of thoughts.
b. Allow her to earn the right to text, email, or call mom during the day. I would not suggest a phone call, but that is a possibility.
c. Use of a worry doll. Let her tell her worries/fears to the doll and practice leaving them with the doll.
5. Be careful not to speak about feared things where she can hear. Be mindful of too much information.
6. Build relationships with teacher, assistant, other staff members.
7. Give "jobs" in the classroom.
8. Ask child to identify feelings. Equip her with the ability to voice what she is feeling. Use pictures and ask her to point to the feeling she has at that moment.
9. Express trust in school and staff.