First Day
	Who Experiences Separation Anxiety?
	Most children experience some separation anxiety when they first separate from their parents. Some children show this right away, others may show it days later. Other factors include how much experience your child has in being cared for by others, your child's basic temperament, and your child's age. Children go through some very predictable stages of stranger anxiety. Prior to six months, infants usually have little difficulty separating. From 7-12 months, children have developed the ability to sense a stranger, and there tends to be some anxiety in leaving parents. At about one year, there is another phase of excitement at exploring the world that can overcome stranger anxiety, but then again at about 18 months, things again become more difficult. By the time the child is two, they are often quite able to adjust comfortably to a new environment provided that it is caring and stimulating.
	How To Prepare your Child
	Young children (just like adults) feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. A visit to the center, visiting the classroom, and meeting the teacher will go a long way to ease a difficult transition. Children also like to talk about the new experience. Preschoolers often feel quite grown-up and important to be going to what they see as "school," just like older siblings, cousins, friends, etc. Encouraging this new feeling of competence will help your child through the adjustment. You can also let your preschooler help gather the things to take to the center, clothes for the extra clothes supply, a blanket and a sleeping toy for rest time. All of this gives the child more of a sense of control over his/her environment.
		The Big Day
		As your child's first day approaches, talk in an upbeat way about attending the center. Your child will take emotional cues from you. If you seem confident that this will be a fun experience, s/he will feel that way, too.