Scenario: Asher - Creating a Seperation Routine

[megs13]

Ok so I've never had to do one of these before so i'm a little stuck. Ive never really had a major issue with separation at work either so quite lost

Scenario: Asher
Asher (3 years 3 months) and his mother, Tara are new to the area. Asher and Tara have been on several orientation visits to the centre and Asher has interacted well with the Educators and children. Today will be the first time Asher’s mother will leave him at the centre.
Tara is anxious that Asher will cry when she leaves. During the orientation visits Tara had attempted to leave Asher for a short time but he became too distressed. Tara has secured a part-time job which she is due to start tomorrow.
Asher likes to do puzzles, build with the blocks and play with the train set. There are several other children in the group who are extremely social who have approached Asher to play. Asher appears to be developing well and has been happy and relaxed in his mother’s presence.
Asher has a rabbit called ‘Bob’ that he carries with him at all times.

a) List the questions you might ask Asher’s mother to help you develop a separation routine/ritual?

b) Suggest a separation routine for Asher and his mother to follow

For the routine could you suggest something like Tara gets Asher to help put his belongings away, then help him find an activity he likes and stay for about 5 minutes so he can get comfortable in his environment before saying goodbyes and reminding Asher that she will be back soon???
But the questions, what else would be needed to ask that we don't know already from the scenario ???

thanks!

[Lorina]

One way to make the transition smoother is to have a constant routine in the morning for both the parent and child. When they come in, the child hangs their bag, parent helps them to choose an activity, says goodbye with a quick kiss and a hug and then leaves. The whole drop off routine shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. It has to be quick. The more the parent lingers around the more apprehensive the child would be knowing that mum is going to go soon.

Maybe you could also suggest to the mum, to give the child something that belongs to her that the child could hold onto throughout the day until she comes back to pick her up. It could a scarf, a bangle, a stuffed teddy...anything...

This may also help:

Separation Anxiety In Children

,
Lorina

[nemodori]

a) List the questions you might ask Asher’s mother to help you develop a separation routine/ritual

Hey what did you answer for (A)?