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Separation Success

Lesson Plan

Separation Anxiety Session

Equip parents with understanding and practical strategies to recognize, manage, and reduce their child’s separation anxiety through discussion, resources, and role-play exercises.

Separation anxiety can cause distress for children and parents, impacting daily routines and school readiness. This session builds parents’ confidence with evidence-based techniques and action plans for smoother drop-offs and transitions.

Audience

Parents

Time

90 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, resource sharing, and hands-on practice

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Room

15 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Introduction

10 minutes

  • Greet parents, introduce facilitator, and review session objectives
  • Icebreaker: each parent shares one word describing their feelings at drop-off
  • Explain agenda and establish a supportive environment

Step 2

Understanding Separation Anxiety

15 minutes

  • Present key characteristics, triggers, and impacts of separation anxiety
  • Share common behaviors and emotional responses in children
  • Invite parents to briefly describe situations they’ve encountered

Step 3

Strategy Presentation

20 minutes

  • Introduce core strategies: separation rituals, gradual desensitization, positive reinforcement
  • Walk through each approach with examples from the Separation Anxiety Tip Sheet
  • Encourage clarifying questions and group input

Step 4

Role-Play Practice

25 minutes

  • Split parents into pairs; assign roles of anxious child and responding parent
  • Practice implementing one strategy from the tip sheet
  • After 10 minutes, rotate roles and practice another technique
  • Observers use sticky notes to note effective language and body language

Step 5

Reflection and Action Planning

20 minutes

  • Distribute Separation Anxiety Reflection Worksheet
  • Parents reflect on their child’s needs and select 2–3 strategies to try at home
  • Invite volunteers to share their action plan and commit to a follow-up check-in
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Slide Deck

Separation Anxiety: Strategies for Parents

Tier 3, 90-Minute Session
Building Confidence and Smooth Transitions

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and thank parents for attending. Emphasize the collaborative nature of today’s session and invite openness.

Session Objectives

• Understand key characteristics and triggers of separation anxiety
• Learn three core evidence-based strategies
• Practice techniques through role-play
• Develop a personalized action plan

Read each objective aloud and explain why it matters. Encourage parents to think of personal goals for today’s session.

Agenda

• 10 min: Welcome & Introduction
• 15 min: Understanding Separation Anxiety
• 20 min: Strategy Presentation
• 25 min: Role-Play Practice
• 20 min: Reflection & Action Planning

Walk through the agenda and invite any quick questions about timing. Emphasize breaks and participation.

What Is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a developmental response characterized by distress when a child is apart from caregivers. It’s normal but can become intense and interfere with daily routines.

Define separation anxiety. Ask parents to share brief examples of behaviors they’ve seen.

Common Signs and Triggers

Signs:

  • Tearfulness, clinginess
  • Complaints of stomachache or headache
  • Refusal to engage or enter new settings

Triggers:

  • First day of school or daycare
  • New caregiver or routine change
  • Unexpected departures

Highlight both emotional and physical signs. Solicit additional signs from parents’ experiences.

Core Strategies Overview

  1. Separation Rituals
  2. Gradual Desensitization
  3. Positive Reinforcement

Briefly introduce the three strategies before diving deeper. Ask parents which they’re most curious about.

Strategy 1: Separation Rituals

• Create a simple, consistent goodbye routine (e.g., special wave, hug)
• Use a transitional object (favorite toy or photo)
• Keep the ritual brief and positive

Explain how consistent rituals create predictability. Provide examples (special wave, transitional object).

Strategy 2: Gradual Desensitization

• Start with very short separations (e.g., 1–2 minutes)
• Gradually increase duration as confidence grows
• Practice in safe, familiar environments

Describe steps to gradually expose children to separation. Emphasize patience and small increments.

Strategy 3: Positive Reinforcement

• Offer immediate praise when the child separates calmly
• Use small rewards (stickers, extra story time)
• Track progress with a simple chart

Discuss rewarding brave behavior. Encourage specific praise and occasional small rewards.

Role-Play Practice

• Pair up: one parent plays the child, one plays the parent
• Practice each strategy for 10 minutes, then switch
• Observers note effective language and body language on sticky notes

Explain the role-play format clearly and distribute sticky notes. Circulate to offer guidance and feedback.

Reflection & Action Planning

• Complete the Reflection Worksheet:

  1. Identify your child’s top triggers
  2. Choose 2–3 strategies to implement
  3. Set realistic goals and timelines
    • Share action plans with the group if comfortable

Distribute the reflection worksheet. Guide parents through prompts and encourage writing specific commitments.

Resources & Next Steps

• Take home:

  • Separation Anxiety Tip Sheet
  • Reflection Worksheet
    • Schedule a brief follow-up in 2 weeks
    • Contact facilitator with any questions

Thank participants and remind them of available resources. Encourage scheduling a follow-up check-in.

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Worksheet

Separation Anxiety Reflection Worksheet

Use this worksheet to reflect on your child’s needs and develop a concrete action plan.

1. Identify Top Triggers

What are the top two situations or triggers when your child shows separation anxiety? Describe briefly:






2. Child’s Reactions

How does your child typically react (emotionally and physically) in these moments? (Examples: clinging, tears, complaints)









3. Strategy Selection

Review the three strategies from the Separation Anxiety Tip Sheet. Which 2–3 feel most doable for your family? List them and explain why.

Strategy 1:



Strategy 2:



Strategy 3 (optional):



4. Action Steps

For each chosen strategy above, outline specific steps you will take at home.

Strategy 1 Steps:






Strategy 2 Steps:






Strategy 3 Steps (if applicable):






5. Goals & Timeline

Set realistic goals and target dates for implementing each strategy.

  • Goal 1 (Strategy 1):
    Target date: __________



  • Goal 2 (Strategy 2):
    Target date: __________



  • Goal 3 (Strategy 3):
    Target date: __________



6. Tracking Progress & Celebrations

How will you track your child’s progress and celebrate successes? (E.g., sticker chart, extra story time)







7. Anticipated Challenges

What challenges might you face in implementing these strategies? How can you address them?






8. Personal Reflection & Support

How do you feel about putting these strategies into practice? What additional support or resources do you need?







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Worksheet

Separation Anxiety Tip Sheet

Use these quick strategies to help your child feel secure and confident when separating.

Strategy 1: Separation Rituals

  • Create a consistent, brief goodbye routine (e.g., special wave, secret handshake)
  • Introduce a transitional object (favorite toy, family photo)
  • Keep the tone positive and confident

Strategy 2: Gradual Desensitization

  • Start with very short separations (1–2 minutes) in a familiar spot
  • Gradually increase duration and distance as your child builds confidence
  • Turn separations into a game (e.g., hide-and-seek) to normalize brief apart time

Strategy 3: Positive Reinforcement

  • Offer immediate praise when your child manages separation calmly (“You were so brave!”)
  • Use small rewards (stickers, extra story time) for brave behavior
  • Track progress on a simple chart and celebrate milestones together

Quick Tips

  • Stay calm and confident—children pick up on your emotions
  • Keep goodbyes brief to avoid overstating the departure
  • Give your child a preview of when you’ll return (“After snack time, I’ll be back.”)
  • Use visual schedules or timers to build predictability
  • Coordinate with caregivers and teachers to maintain consistency

For guided reflection and action planning, see the Separation Anxiety Reflection Worksheet.

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Separation Success • Lenny Learning