Does your little one cry or throw
a tantrum when you have to
leave for work?
Do you have a hard time saying
goodbye when you send them to
school because they are unwilling
to let you go?
If you answer is Yes,
Your child may be
experiencing Separation
Anxiety
But fear not!
let's learn more about it!
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF
MANAGING SEPARATION
ANXIETY
1. It builds up your child's trust and
confidence
2. Teaches your child to regulate
his/her emotions 
3. Your child will form close and
healthy relationships with the
caregiver
Separation
Separation Anxiety is part of
your child's development
process and there is nothing to
be concerned about Anxiety
A guide on Separation
Anxiety and strategies
WHAT IS SEPARATION
ANXIETY?
It is a developmentally appropriate
reaction of distress when separated
with the caregiver they have became
attached to. This anxiety starts to
develop around 9 months 
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
Children recognise their caregivers
as familiar and safe.
When they are placed in a new
environment with people who are
unfamiliar to them, they feel
frightened.
(Stranger Anxiety)
When separated from their
caregivers, they can no longer
see a familiar face and they feel
threatened and unsafe.  It is hard to say goodbye when your child is
They start to cry and throw a
tantrum because they are scared and
cannot foresee that
separation is temporary
STRATEGIES ON
MANAGING
SEPARATION ANXIETY
Strategy #1
Prepare your child before
separation 
Talk your child through the process
of leaving:
What he/she will be going to do
Who is going to be with him/her
while you are away
Read books or share experiences
of school to prepare your child
This helps your child understand and
prepare for what is going to happen so
that he will not be overwhelmed when
you leave him/her with another
person
Strategy #2
Be consistent with goodbye
rituals and routines
Develop a consistent goodbye ritual
Show your love and affection and reassure
your child that you will return
Eg. "See you later, I love you" followed by a
kiss and hug. 
DO NOT sneak away when the child is
distracted
This helps your child develop a sense of
security and by keep farewells the same. It
creates familiar transition from your
presence to your absence
Strategy #3
Stay calm and do not drag the
goodbye
crying
Do your goodbye rituals and leave 
Keep a happy and calm face while leaving
Children's feelings may be influenced by
your expression. By looking worried or sad,
your child might think that he/she is in an
unsafe place and get upset too.