Hello and goodbye

Ages 0 to 2 A grown-up reads and plays along · about 10 minutes

Read together

Hello! I am glad to see you.

Goodbye for now. I will be back.

Do it

1. Make a short, loving goodbye routine: a hug, a kiss or a wave, and the same words each time: “I love you. I will be back.”
2. Say goodbye even if your child is upset, and then leave calmly. Avoid sneaking away.
3. When you return, greet warmly: “Hello! I missed you!”
4. Play peekaboo to practise: hide your face, then “hello!”.

Talk about it

• How do we say goodbye?
• Who comes back?

For the grown-up

Separation worries are normal in the first years. A predictable routine and a calm leaving help children feel safe. If distress is intense and lasts a long time, talk with your paediatrician.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, pages on separation anxiety in babies and toddlers
• ZERO TO THREE, resources on separation and goodbyes for infants and toddlers

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.