PARENTS 48 SEPTEMBER 2019
MAGNETIC HEART
“I told my son, ‘Whenever
you miss me, hold it in
your hand. It’s like Mommy
is giving you a hug.’ ”
—Meryl Schulte, a preschool
teacher in Las VegasLOVE BUG “My daughter
had separation anxiety after
a holiday break, so we glued
pipe cleaners and googly
eyes to a bead to make her
a ‘love bug.’ Creating it
together helped her knowthat I understood her
feelings and how difficult
it was for her.” —Toth
WATCH “I gave my
daughter a watch as a
reminder that I would be
picking her up soon. It
made her feel like a big kid.”
—Maria Barker, a preschool
teacher in Mesa, Arizona
SPECIAL COOKIES
“Before my kids start school
each year, we read
The Kissing Hand, by AudryPenn, and make cookies
that look like a hand with a
heart in the middle. The
kids get them in their lunch
that first week so they know
that I’m thinking about them.
Even my fourth-grader still
looks forward to her kissing-
hand cookie.” —Tingley
F AMI LY P I CT URE S
“I made a collage and
slipped it into the front of
my kid’s binders.”
—Tiffany Seay, a kindergarten
teacher in PhoenixSend a Little Piece of Home
A special trinket in her backpack or cubby may be just what your child
needs to get over her separation anxiety.The Path to
Tear-Free
Separation
You might be puddles on
the first day. That’s okay.
These steps will make
it easier for both of you.
Build Excitement
Before school starts, make
a playdate for your child
with a few kids who will be
in the same grade at
his school. Seeing familiar
faces on the first day
will soothe the jitters.Review the Schedule
When Tingley’s kids felt
anxious about preschool,
she reminded them about
the sequence of activities
so they “realized they
wouldn’t be left there
forever.” She told them,
“Mommy will drop you off,
then you’ll play, have
circle time, eat lunch,
lie down for nap, and then
Daddy will pick you up.”Create a Goodbye Ritual
Teachers know the
repetition of a daily ritual is
comforting for a child,
whether it’s a silly handshake,
blowing kisses, or making a
face through the window.
“I always gave my son three
hugs and three kisses
before I left,” says Schulte.Resist Lingering
Leaving without saying
goodbye is a big no-no, but
so is hanging out. “The
longer you stay, the harder
it is,” says Brooke Wetzel, a
kindergarten teacher
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I give my own crying
daughter a big hug and kiss,
tell her she is going to have
a great day, and then run.”Talk About the Positives
When you reunite, instead of
“How was your day?” say
“What is something new you
tried to do today?” or “Tell
me what made you excited
today,” suggests Marlene
Heuer, a preschool teacher
in Rochester, New York,
and mom of a 5-year-old.Ready for Recess!
Christopher, 4, looks
comfy in his Trico
Field T-shirt,
long-sleeved shirt
and pants from
Appaman, and
Converse sneakers.
He can’t tell time
yet but still wanted to
wear three
Swatch watches.KIDSÑBack to School