Children who are 8 to 18 months old often become frightened when they meet new people or visit new places. When separated from their parents or caregivers, particularly when away from home, they feel threatened and unsafe. They look to their parents and caregivers for safety and reassurance. Children this age who cry when their parents or caregivers leave the room are not "spoiled. Crying in this situation is a positive reaction.
Parents or caregivers may try playing peek-a-boo with children this age to reassure children that out of sight does not mean gone forever. Separation anxiety continues until children are about 24 months old. At this age, children have learned object permanence and have developed trust.
Object permanence is the knowledge that something such as their parents still exists even when it is not seen or heard. Separation anxiety resolves because children have learned that their parents or caregivers still exist even when they cannot be seen. Children have learned to trust their parents or caregivers will eventually return. Usually, separation anxiety is not a cause for concern and does not require evaluation by a doctor.
Separation anxiety differs from separation anxiety disorder Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorder involves persistent, intense anxiety about being away from home or being separated from people to whom a child is attached, usually the mother. Most children feel Children with this disorder typically refuse to go to school or preschool. If severe, separation anxiety disorder may interfere with a child's normal development.
When parents are ready to go out or leave the child at a child care center, they can try the following:. Encouraging the person caring for the child to distract the child with toys, a game, or another activity as the parents leave. Feeding the child and letting the child nap before they leave because separation anxiety may be worse when a child is hungry or tired.
If a child cries when a parent goes to a another room in the home, the parent should call to the child from the other room, rather than immediately return to comfort the child. This response teaches the child that parents are still present even though the child cannot see them. Separation anxiety that lasts beyond age 2 years may or may not be a problem depending on how much it interferes with the child's development.
Skip to content Skip to navigation. Fear of strangers: the basics Fear of strangers is very common. Helping with fear of strangers: what you can do Although fear of strangers is part of normal development for babies and young children, there are things you can do to help your child feel less upset. This could make the fear worse. Introduce strangers first at home, if possible. Home is where your child feels most comfortable. If your child gets very upset with a new person, comfort her and try a different approach like all playing together.
You could also move your child slightly away from the new person until she calms down. Then you can try again. Stay calm yourself. Your child will pick up on your cues. If you're looking for a balance of….
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