Fostering Independence

Children should become more independent as they grow.
Q
My five-year-old daughter is becoming increasingly more attached to me, so much so that she won't even go to friends' houses to play unless I go. I'm becoming concerned about her starting kindergarten this fall. She has attended preschool two days a week since she was three, but she seems to get more attached to me the older she gets. What can I do to help her feel secure?
A
Begin to work now on gradually encouraging your daughter's independence. Go with her to a friend's house, but explain that you will leave for a few minutes and then return. After she has settled in to play, tell your daughter that you will be back shortly and leave. Walk or drive around the block for 5 minutes, then return and praise your daughter for being such a big girl while you were gone. The next time she plays at the friend's house, leave for 10 minutes, then 15, and so forth. Make sure that the friend's mom is aware of what you are doing and willing to help support your daughter in this.

Your daughter is probably worrying about the next step of starting "big school" this fall and being away from you. Begin talking every night about what school will be like, going through a typical day from the time your daughter leaves home until you pick her up or she gets home on the bus. There are many books available about starting kindergarten; check with your public library or a bookstore and get several to read over and over between now and the first day of school.

Call the school your daughter will attend to find out what hours the building is open. Take your daughter to visit now when there are few people there and walk through the halls and look into the classrooms. You will want to do this several times over the next few weeks. Be sure to take time to play in the playground. Meet whatever staff members are there and introduce your daughter to them.

Talk with the principal about your concerns. Ask him to place your daughter with a teacher who will be loving and understanding if she has separation problems this fall. Also talk with the school counselor and work out a plan ahead of time to assist your daughter if problems do come up.

Barbara Potts has worked as an elementary school counselor for many years. She has a BA in psychology from Wake Forest University, and an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

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