separation anxiety?

[ktziff]

Our daugther just turned 4 yesterday. She's a happy kid and attends preschool (and does well) for 3 hours/day M-F (she just began this school in Sept 07).  Since she returned to school after the Christmas holiday about 6 weeks ago, she's been crying at school for no obvious reason.  There are only 4-5 other kids in her class and she gets along with all of them.  She looks forward to school every day and has never once said that she doesn't want to go, or that any kids are giving her problems.  The crying happens at some point almost every day, however....my wife and I are at a loss, but need a way to figure this out!  Could it be separation anxiety, this late into the school year?  We welcome any/all suggestions on how to make this better.

Thanks

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It is likely that either of two things is occurring. Yes, it may be that she is thinking about you and for a short period feels a bit sad, but this is not really something to worry about. It may also be that the crying occurs in the wake of some frustration or some brief interaction with a peer or staff member (this is the more likely event). You might ask the staff to log the episodes and to observe what might be occurring at the moment to try to she some light on the pattern.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

If children have a baseline predisposition to anxiety, vacations and the ensuing return to school (and thus away from home) can serve as a trigger to the anxiety. On a positive note, the anxiety generally diminishes over time.

[ktziff]

Thank you for your reply.  The most frustrating part is that this behavior just began several weeks ago, where she was absolutely fine and comfortable at the school in the past (before the holidays.)

Thanks.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

What you suggest is certainly possible, but what will likely occur over time is that (through over and over again learning) she will be comfortable in your absence. As long as she is participating in the program and interacting well with peers and staff you needn't be alarmed.

[ktziff]

Thank you for the reply.  We've asked the staff to keep an eye out, and since there are only a handful of kids in the class, that's an easy task.  No problems have been reported with the peers or staff, however.  We constantly ask her if she likes her school, friends, teachers, etc. and we always receive a positive response.  We've asked her if she wants to switch schools (just to gauge the reaction)....she has no interest in doing that, either.  The most difficult part for us is that she was doing so well up until being off for 2 weeks for the holiday break.  Ever since we've been back is when the problems have started.  During the holidays, we had to put our 13 1/2 year old dog to sleep.  We told her about it a few weeks later (after coming back into town)...she seemed to handle it very well.  During mid January, we purchased a new puppy that she and her brother have become fond of.....

When the crying occurs at school, my wife finds out about it during pickup time and asks her what is wrong...she either says "I don't know" or that she's afraid that Mom won't pick her up.....never once has Mom ever even been late for pickup, however.  

Is it possible that subconciously she's associating the dog "never coming home again because he was very sick" with her possibly not coming home?  

Sorry for the long explanation....appreciate your feedback..