Avoid Separation Anxiety With Preschool

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 18 Aug 2007 - 0:00 PST

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Going away to preschool or kindergarten for the first time can be scary for children. "To prepare them for the experience, talk to your child about the separation emotionally and not intellectually", says UAB child development expert Jerry Aldridge, Ed.D. "It's better to say, 'Dad loves you and will miss you today, but when I pick you up after school I'll be so happy to see you,' instead of, 'If you don't go to school you won't learn what the other kids learn.' Let your child know how much you love her, miss her, and look forward to seeing her later. Also, read good books to children about starting kindergarten. Books like Arthur Goes to School, and Kindergarten Kids, are excellent books to read."

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