Editable Separation Anxiety Social Story: Saying Goodbye

What is included

• •One illustrated social story about separation anxiety and saying goodbye at drop-off
• •A gentle wording that describes far more than it instructs, and a firmer direct wording
• •Four child looks: a boy or a girl, with light or dark skin
• •Half-page booklets in wide and tall pages, in US Letter and A4
• •Blank write-in booklets in US Letter and A4, for the stories only you can write
• •A guide with a printed link and QR code for each wording that opens your copy in the free Social Story Maker

What the separation anxiety social story says

The gentle wording is eight pages long, one picture and one short sentence on each page, told in the child's own voice. The first two pages read:

The pages after that cover:

• the same goodbye every day: a hug, a wave, and "See you later!"
• the teacher who takes care of the child
• a deep breath or a special thing from home
• telling the teacher how it feels
• playing, learning, and snack at school
• the grown-up coming back at pick-up time

The direct wording says the same things in seven pages, with the expectation stated plainly.

When to read a separation anxiety social story

Read it at a calm time at home, a week or so before school or child care starts, and again the evening before and the morning of a drop-off. Read it once more after a goodbye that went well, so the story is tied to a real success, and share a copy with the teacher.

How to read the separation anxiety social story with your child

1. Start with the gentle wording; switch to the direct one if your child does best with a plain rule.
2. Print the child look that matches your child, and write their name on the cover.
3. Read one page at a time, pointing to the picture before you read the sentence.
4. Change the goodbye page to your own short goodbye, and do it the same way every day.
5. Tell your child when you will be back in words they understand, like "after snack," and keep that promise.

Separation anxiety social story questions

What is a separation anxiety social story?

A separation anxiety social story is a short illustrated story, in the approach developed by Carol Gray, that walks a child through drop-off: the sad or worried feeling, a goodbye that is the same every day, the teacher who helps, and the grown-up who comes back at pick-up time.

Is separation anxiety at drop-off normal, and when should I talk to a doctor?

Yes. Separation anxiety is a normal part of development, common in young children, and most children grow out of it; the American Academy of Pediatrics calls it an entirely normal behavior. If it lasts more than a few weeks, causes a lot of distress, or your child is not adapting, talk to your pediatrician.

What is the difference between the gentle and the direct wording?

The gentle wording mostly describes what happens and how it feels, with two coaching sentences. The direct wording states the plan plainly: at drop-off, I give my grown-up a hug and a wave and go in with my teacher. Both come in this separation anxiety social story.

Can I personalize the story?

Yes. The guide prints a link and a QR code for each wording that opens the story in the free Social Story Maker. You can add your child's name, photos of the real school and teacher, your own goodbye routine, and the time you come back, such as "after snack."

What formats and paper sizes are included?

One ZIP with print-ready PDFs in US Letter and A4: the story in four child looks, each in wide and tall booklet pages and in both wordings, plus blank write-in booklets and the guide. Print at actual size, cut each sheet in half along the dashed line, stack the pages in order and staple the left edge.

How do I receive the files, and can I use them with my whole class?

Delivery is instant: checkout unlocks the download and emails you the link, and the pack stays in your My Resources library. It is licensed for personal and single-classroom use. Because it is a digital download, all sales are final; if a file will not open, email info@spectrumunlocked.com and Spectrum Unlocked will fix it.