Winds of Change: Easing Preschooler Anxieties

Sprinklers scatter rainbowed droplets, fruit juice popsicles melt into sticky purple smiles, and school-age children are home in force. Play dates, park days, and soccer van trips easily fill the week. 

Preschoolers often find themselves in a sea of unaccustomed activity in June.The euphoria of having their school-age siblings around all day, every day, suddenly burns off and can leave preschool children giddy, unsure of this new system, and acting out.  

These anxieties may be triggered in preschoolers for any number of reasons: a new baby or adopted siblings coming soon; an upcoming move; starting a new daycare or daily schedule; and more.

For our family, my soon-to-be four year old has journeyed with us through home stagings and immaculate moments, to us selling our home, and talking about a new place. Now boxes line the hallways, rooms get emptier, and we speak often of moving to a new house. 

Despite his excitement, there are still days when anxieties sneak through and manifest in acting out. One afternoon, he snapped. Crying, flailing his limbs, and then waving a sword spatula, he attacked one of the packing boxes in the living room. Poor guy. Getting down to eye level, I hugged him, rubbed his back, and we talked.

Whatever your three, four, or five year old is processing, the start of summer can be a common time for emotional meltdowns. 

Here are three things that help us ease preschool anxieties:

1.) Give them visuals. So many of a person’s fears are rooted in the unknown: unknown territory of having the siblings home all day and no normal schedules; unknown territory of a drastic move, etc. Help your preschooler visualize the changes by talking through what it may look like. Check out library books that help them visualize other characters walking through similar changes. We read through The Berenstain Bears’ Big Move many times these last two weeks, watching Brother Bear bring up many of Daniel’s unknowns. 

2.) Give them words. As Daniel first started seeing special possessions disappear into boxes, and seeing our rooms empty, I said aloud, “This feels weird, huh?” His older siblings and I talked aloud beside him of how it will feel sad to move away from this house too, and that that’s okay. We’ve lived here for a long time. Other days, rage filled him as his sister chose not to play with him, or let him use her toys. Squeezing his fists, face flushed red, he roared. I knelt beside him.“Are you frustrated?” I asked. It’s okay to say, “I’m angry! I’m frustrated!” 

3.) Give them permission. Emotions are natural and necessary. Give your preschooler permission to feel and articulate his/her emotions. “Does it feel weird to have your brother and sister home all day? We’ll still have special times together too.” Or “Does it feel weird to think about moving?” and “Are you angry about your sister saying 'No, thanks' to the fort idea? It’s okay. You can be angry. Let me know when you want to talk.” 

 Life presents many opportunities for change, and anxiety is normal. Use these moments to model and teach your preschooler valuable methods of coping. Help them visualize the unknowns, learn to articulate their emotions, and give them permission to feel and process these. Invaluable skills for us all, huh? 

A summer rain fell heavy all day today. It smells wonderfully fresh and cool outside. Our windows are flung wide, and my preschooler drives tiny cars across Barbie boxes. The carpet is strewn with toys and packed up boxes. 

What has your day been like today? What lays in view around you right now?