The first few weeks of Montessori preschool are always a time of adjustment and many students (and parents) feel a sense of separation anxiety, which is perfectly normal. Separation anxiety is often caused by fear of the unknown when it comes to a new situation; it can relate to something that is happening at home, or even to something that the child has just experienced before arriving at school. No matter what the cause, it is heart-wrenching for everyone involved. As teachers we need to be able to nurture the child who is upset, provide support to the parents who feel like they are abandoning their child, all while helping the other children feel at ease - as they may start feeling anxious with seeing one of their classmates so distressed. As a parent of three, I have experienced my own share of separation anxiety and it is extremely challenging. It is one of the hardest things to deal with as a parent, and can be very stressful for a Montessori classroom teacher as well.
Below are a number of strategies to help Montessori parents and teachers. Remember, separation anxiety is a phase; it is perfectly natural, and it will pass.
