Supporting Separation at School Time
Struggling with School Drop-Offs? Here’s How to Support Your Child Through Separation Anxiety
Is your child finding school drop-offs challenging right now?
You're not alone. Many children experience separation anxiety or emotional overwhelm—especially as the excitement of a new school year starts to fade and the reality of long school days sets in.
My 9-year-old was all in at first—but now, back-to-back school weeks are starting to take their toll. And that’s completely normal.
If your child is saying things like:
🗣️ “I don’t want to go to school.”
🗣️ “It’s too long.”
🗣️ “I don’t want you to leave.”
These are signs that your child may need a little extra support during school transitions. Below are some brain-friendly, attachment-based strategies to help your child feel safe, connected, and emotionally supported throughout the day.
🌟 Gentle Strategies for Early Primary Children (Ages 5–8)
💖 Connection Hearts
Draw a tiny heart on both your hand and your child’s. This simple visual reminder keeps a sense of love and connection alive, even when you’re apart.
📘 Read The Invisible String
This heartwarming book explains that we’re all connected by invisible strings of love. It’s a comforting concept that helps children cope with being away from family during the day.
📩 XOXO Anxiety Saver & Pocket Messages
This was one of the reasons for coming up with our anxiety XOXO tag! Alternatively, a special note or a sewn tucked into their pocket or bag can provide a sense of closeness whenever they need it. This tangible comfort object helps ease school separation anxiety and provides a sense of closeness when needed.
🌈 Regulation Tools for Older Primary Kids (Ages 8–12)
🌅 Calm Mornings Start at Night
Prep uniforms, bags, lunches, and homework the night before. A consistent morning routine reduces stress and supports emotional regulation at the start of the day. Fridge planners can be set up to help reduce the morning chaos and helpfully show all the steps which need to occur to get out the door (see our range here)
🎶 Music Transitions
Play calming or upbeat music in the car to regulate your child’s nervous system and make school drop-offs feel less tense.
🍬 Oral Sensory Support
A mint or small chewable snack can offer grounding sensory input. This simple strategy helps children regulate emotions and stay present.
📝 Personalized School Entry Plan
Some children benefit from entering the classroom early, before the busy rush. Asking the teacher if your child can be given a helpful task can allow for a soft start—like unstacking chairs or helping update the class visual schedule.
🧸 Pocket Fidgets for On-the-Go Comfort
Tuck a small, quiet fidget into your child’s pocket. These tools offer sensory regulation and can ease anxious energy throughout the day.
💛 Final Thoughts
Transitions take time. Your child isn’t “clingy” or “too sensitive”—they’re navigating the world with a beautifully sensitive nervous system that just needs a little more connection and co-regulation. By showing up with patience, empathy, and love, you're helping your child feel safe, seen, and supported.
About the writer:
Lauren is a speech pathologist who has over 18 years experience working with children and teenagers who present with a range of learning and communication differences. Lauren is passionate about helping others and loves to find simple and creative ways to make learning fun!
The blog posts featured on this site are written on behalf of Remindables and are intended for educational purposes only and to provide general information and an understanding on a particular topic. By using this blog site, you must be aware that the information shown is not to be used as a substitute for therapy advice and you should therefore seek the opinion of suitable professionals to assist you. The views expressed here are the author’s views alone and not those of their employer or others, unless clearly stated. ⠀⠀⠀