Help me help my great nephew.?

Question

My great nephew is really attached to my niece. He is almost 5 years old and seems to have separation anxiety when he goes to day care. She enrolled him this year and he went about 4 times but now the director states that he will not be able to go anymore because he acts like he is ready to cry at the drop of a hat. This was not a "real" center just a home sittter with just 3 other kids(smaller thatn him) The whole purpose was to get him used to being away from mom and prepare him for the first year of school next fall. Can anyone out there help me to help her and ease the sadness this youg boy faces?

Answer 1

There is a wonderful book the CWLA publishes called "The Kissing Hand" about Chester Racoon going away to school, and how he and his mom deal with it. I love helping kids cope with new and difficult situations through stories. Check out such resources at your local library.

Encourage your neice to continue to leave him, with trusted and caring adults for increasing amounts of time. When parting she should always be firm, but caring, confident and matter of fact. Tell him she is leaving, how long (in his favorite tv show time, for example I'll be gone for as long as it takes to watch 3 Sponge Bob show's means 1 1/2 hours), and an assurance that she will be back for him. If he cries when she leaves, she does not need to respond to it, but allow the caregiver to comfort and distract him. (And if she is upset, she needs to get away from him to deal with it, not let him see her and reinforce his fear!) Sometimes it helps if he is leaving her (a caregiver picks him up to take him on an outing or adventure). This is a fairly common issue and will probably not be as big a deal as you are afraid of!

Answer 2

When I read your post first I formed one opinion, Then the thought that I had a twin sister occured to me. The principal at our elementary school set it up that we never had the same teacher but we always went to school and came home from school together.
Maybe you could seperate them for a shorter time then your nephew would realize he goes and does this for a couple hours then he comes home and plays with his friend. Maybe you could get him involved in things where he is likely to make friends. Even taking them to the park when other children are there.

Answer 3

If the center is being paid to take him...they should stick to it...they are SUPPOSED to be children specialist?! He's gonna get worse when he goes to school next year...maybe she could find someone to leave him with once a week..for just a couple hours at a time..and extend that a little each time..making it easier for him to let her go..without the tears...

My 2.5 yr old cries when we get BACK!! He wants us to stay away...and our 5 yr old...wants to walk by himself..to school! He's been left with family and baby sitters since birth...and it does help!

Answer 4

I have two children, and honestly, they are not old enough to experience this just yet. What you might try, is to sit him down, and talk with him. You can try to give him a picture of your niece, and tell him as long as he keeps that with him, he will be safe. Or you could try something else in place of that. Make sure not to talk to him like a child. Build up his confidence by telling him he is a big boy, and can handle it. I have never had the chance to try that, but that is one of the things I have heard to attempt

Answer 5

Very sad situation! Sounds like the sitter just didn't want to deal with him. I decided to home school my children so I never had to deal with the separation but I am sure it is very tough. Just try to be there for them and supportive. Maybe a daycare center would be a better place for him. They are usually better trained and interact with the children in a positive way and keep them busy. Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

I suggest a REAL preschool. It will help him transition into kindergarten.