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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
How long should I expect seperation anxiety to last for 6yr old at new school?
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
How long should I expect seperation anxiety to last for 6yr old at new school?
by Dee, Sep 12, 2000 12:00AM
My daughter started a new school this year for 1st grade. From everything I've seen, she has a wonderful teacher and it seems to be a caring school. She has made a few new friends and is happy when I pick her up. When I as how her day went, she says it was fun and tells me about what she did. However, when I take her to her class, she clings to me and cries that she does not want me to leave. I then take her to her teacher who gives her a big hug and holds her hand while I leave. It has been two weeks already and I'm wondering what the average time frame is for this kind of seperation problem. I would also like any ideas you may have for helping her overcome this behavior. Thank you in advance for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Sep 12, 2000 12:00AM
, Sep 12, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Dee,
There really is no average duration for the sort of response your daughter is displaying. She sounds like she's adapting well to the class, and this is the most important thing. You are handling it fine by insisting that she go to school, and by bringing her right to the teacher, who also sounds like she's responding just right. So, you seem to be handling this well. Keep up what you're doing, and respond to the whole situation in a casual way. That is, don't make much of her sadness at the separation, and also don't make much of her success in adapting. Just let it continue to play out; it will be fine.
There really is no average duration for the sort of response your daughter is displaying. She sounds like she's adapting well to the class, and this is the most important thing. You are handling it fine by insisting that she go to school, and by bringing her right to the teacher, who also sounds like she's responding just right. So, you seem to be handling this well. Keep up what you're doing, and respond to the whole situation in a casual way. That is, don't make much of her sadness at the separation, and also don't make much of her success in adapting. Just let it continue to play out; it will be fine.
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