Positive Separation

As children begin to venture out beyond their home and family, they need to know some basic things to help them separate confidently. Your child needs to hear the reassurance that you love him/her, you will be back in a little whle and that your child will have fun. Sometimes for a variety of reasons children still have some difficulty leaving the loving armos of mom or dad. Understand, most children stop crying before you have left in your car.If a child is continuously upset without being able to be consoled we will call right away. Here are some things that will help your child transition to leaving you positively so that you can feel good inside and be assured that they are fine.

• Look positively and confidently at your child when you are preparing to leave. Tell yoru child that s/he will have fun! If you look anxious, your child will read your face, instead of listening to your words.
• Give your child somethign that belongs to you to take care of while you are both apart. This could be a picture, piece of jewelry, a pen, etc. Somethign easy for them to take care of throughout their time away from you. Your child knows that you will come back if s/he has something that belongs to you.
• Talk about school frequently at home in a positive manner.
• Talk to your child about how grown up they are. We mean a grown up three or four year old; not adult.