Analysis and Alleviation of Preschool Anxiety in Small Class Settings from the Perspective of Noddings’ Care Theory

Abstract

Preschool separation anxiety refers to the emotional reactions of anxiety, displeasure, or unease experienced by children when leaving familiar environments and family members to interact with strangers in unfamiliar settings, also known as separation anxiety. Noddings’ ethics of care emphasizes the role of emotion in individual development, enabling early childhood educators to better understand children’s needs, focus on their growth processes, and cultivate their empathy and caring qualities. This paper, grounded in American educational philosopher Nelly Noddings’ ethics of care, conducts an in-depth analysis of the manifestations and underlying causes of separation anxiety among preschoolers in small classes. It proposes the following strategies: cultivating caring teachers and children; establishing caring teacher-child relationships; and skillfully applying methods of caring education.