Q：What Does Separation Anxiety Mean?

A: Separation Anxiety refers to a negative emotional experience that occurs when a child leaves the Care Giver, and is a normal stage that children go through in the maturation process, usually starting seven or eight months after birth. Whenever the baby’s Attached Care Giver is out of his sight, they will express their anxiety and fear through shouting and crying, calling for the Care Giver to appear.

In general, Separation Anxiety is most intense when the baby is 10-18 months old. However, children can experience such Separation Anxiety at relatively different ages, with early or late. The individual differences are also reflected on their varied ways to express Separation Anxiety. Separation Anxiety is volatile and typically lasts until 5-6 years old.