Separation Anxiety
Strategies for Parents: 1. Ensure that your child is well rested, healthy, and fed prior to the church service. 2. Stay calm and assured during the separation. Since children naturally absorb insecurities, remain confident in your child and in the nursery workers’ care. 3. Leave in a timely manner. Belaboring the process accentuates emotions. 4. Develop a special goodbye routine. It could be a silly tickle, a high five, a hug, kisses in the hand to keep, kisses thrown in the air to catch, or a favorite phrase such as “See you later Alligator.” Say goodbye in this way on a regular basis. 5. Realize that this is a natural developmental phase. 6. Pray for your child before the separation and during the church service. 7. Celebrate small victories and encourage your child in love.
Strategies for Volunteers 1. Greet the parents and children warmly. Crouch down and speak to children on their level. 2. Establish predictability in the nursery and a regular schedule of events. 3. Make transitions with songs, picture cards, finger plays, clear directions, etc. 4. Allow children to assert independence and control with small choices. 5. Establish a limit to the crying that the parent is in agreement with. 6. Suggest that parents follow a pattern of gradually increasing the separation time from their kids, promising the children they will return in “x” minutes, and returning as promised each week. 7. Support parents with prayer, encouragement, and sensitivity. Above all, be a voice of compassion. For more information about helping your child transition into Sunday School, please email
[email protected].
