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avatarNathan
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My 5 year old son is getting ready to start school this summer. What can I do to help him with separation anxiety?

My 5 year old son is nervous about being away from mom and dad for the day. What can I do or tell him to help him out so he has a pleasant experience in school?

Question applies to ages: 5

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avatarMaryKat
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Here are a couple of things we did when our daughter started preschool:
1. We gave her a picture of the family (pets included!) to put in her cubby. If she felt lonely during the day, she could look at the picture and see that we were still a family, even if we weren't together.
2. We tried to learn the names of the other kids in her class so we could greet them in the morning when we dropped her off and also ask her about them when she got home from school. It helped bridge the two worlds for her when she was so little.
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avatarJenny.eduguide
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Top 5 in: Discipline, Families and Relationships, Family Activities, Financial Aid for College, Growth and Development, Health and Wellness, Parenting Support, Parents and Schools, School Policy and Education Issues, Study Skills and Academics, Transitions and Readiness, Study Skills and Academic StrategiesTop 5 in 12 Topics
I would help get him used to Mom and Dad going away now. Does he currently attend daycare or go to any kind of preschool? If he did, then you explain to him that kindergarten is just like that. He goes to school, has fun, and you will be waiting for him at the end of the day.

If he hasn't really been away from you for any extended period of time on a regular basis then you are going to need all the practice you can get. Vacation Bible School is a great way to let them see how much fun they can have when Mom and Dad aren't there. Most neighborhood churches offer these week long programs in the summer. You drop off your child for 2 or 3 hours and they have snack, do a craft, play, and sing songs. These are all the things they have to look forward to in school.

5-year-olds really don't have a great sense of time. So when you tell them that school will be just like Vacation Bible School, or preschool, that's just fine for them. However, if they hate attending daycare, I wouldn't point out that kindergarten is also that long.

In all honesty, your son will be as apprehensive and unsure of starting school as you are. So, show him how excited you can be and he won't be able to wait until school starts.
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