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Child Development & Early Education vocabulary · Social and Emotional Development

Separation anxiety

Meaning in child development & early education, with examples

nounCore term

In child development & early education, separation anxiety means: Distress a young child shows when separated from a parent or main carer, such as crying or clinging; in babies and toddlers it is a normal stage of development.

In Turkish: ayrılık kaygısı, ayrılma kaygısı

How it is used

Used with parents and staff during settling in and other transitions. A child 'has' or 'is going through' separation anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is a separate clinical diagnosis for anxiety that is much stronger or lasts beyond the expected age.

Example sentences

  1. She is going through a stage of separation anxiety, so mornings are hard at the moment.

  2. Separation anxiety shows that the baby has formed a strong attachment.

Common collocations

  • go through separation anxiety
  • signs of separation anxiety
  • separation anxiety disorder
  • ease separation anxiety
  • attachmentThe deep emotional bond a young child forms with the main people who care for them, which gives the child a sense of safety and comfort.
  • settle inTo become comfortable and relaxed in a new place, such as a nursery or a new room, and get used to its people and routines.
  • drop-offThe time when a parent or carer brings a child to the nursery and leaves them with staff; the end-of-day equivalent is pick-up or collection.
  • object permanenceA baby's understanding that people and things still exist when they cannot be seen, heard or touched.

More terms: Social and Emotional Development

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