Our Children at CIS | The Growth Story of 2-Year-Old Niya: From Separation Anxiety to Confident Development

Every two-year-old stepping into school for the first time will inevitably face the challenge of separation anxiety. At CIS, we understand how important—and how emotional—this stage can be. We believe that every child deserves to be respected, cared for, and supported with patience throughout this journey.

For Niya, a PK2 student at the CIS Early Years, her first weeks of school were both typical and very real—every step shaped by the combined care and support of her family and the school.

We had the pleasure of inviting Niya’s mother, Yuki, to share her daughter’s story. Through the perspectives of the parent, homeroom teacher, Learning Partner (LP), and the ECE Coordinator, we take a closer look at a child’s very first journey into school life.

Interviewee: Parent – Yuki

Yuki is a mother from Hong Kong who relocated to Foshan for work. Her daughter, Niya, is turning three this year and joined the PK2 class at the CIS Early Years program this September.

When talking about why she chose CIS, Yuki shared, “We considered many factors when selecting CIS—the environment, the teachers’ qualifications, the educational philosophy, and most importantly, the fully English-speaking environment. Since we may consider having Niya return to Hong Kong for school in the future, we want her to transition smoothly without facing language pressure.”

Yuki also emphasized that she values her child’s holistic development, especially emotional growth, social skills, and problem-solving abilities.“Academics are certainly important, but I believe these abilities matter even more—they will influence her growth and future throughout her life.”

Before Niya officially started school, Yuki enrolled her in CIS’s summer camp. “We wanted to use the summer camp as a way to get to know the school in advance and see whether Niya could adapt to the environment. With six weeks of warm-up through the camp, Niya was able to transition into the school year much more smoothly.”This early adjustment period laid a solid foundation for her successful start at CIS.

After the summer camp ended, Niya entered her regular classes. Although she still felt some anxiety, her adjustment went much more smoothly than Yuki had expected.

“At first, she would cry on the way to school and refuse to enter the classroom. But with the support of the ECE Coordinator, the teaching team, and even the life coach, things improved significantly.”

Early Days at School: Niya Struggled to Adjust

Yuki shared Niya’s progress: “Now, she can not only handle many tasks independently but also share toys and take turns with her classmates, showing significant improvement in her social skills.”

Niya’s homeroom teacher, Ms. Neha, recalled: “When Niya first came, she had severe separation anxiety and cried every day, which is a very normal reaction for a 2-year-old.”

Classroom photo of Neha and Niya

Seeing Niya grow from initial anxiety to greater confidence and independence, Ms. Neha said: "It’s really rewarding to see her grow from being anxious to becoming more independent."

Yuki explained that the Learning Partners (LP) played a crucial role in Niya’s integration into the classroom. Especially during the initial days, the LP, acting as her learning growth partners, provided Niya with abundant emotional support and a sense of security, helping her gradually adapt to group life.

Ms. Nora, the Learning Partner (LP) for the PK2 class, mentioned, “For 2-year-old children adapting to a new environment, emotional support and a sense of security are crucial. Niya’s experience is not unique; many 2-year-olds face similar emotional challenges during the initial days of school.”

                              LP Nora Supports Niya 

                              in Overcoming School Challenges

LPs work closely with the homeroom teacher, paying attention to each child’s emotional needs. Through patient and attentive care, they help children gradually adapt to the new learning environment.

As the ECE Coordinator, Kole understands the anxiety parents feel when their children first start school, especially for 2-year-olds like Niya.

Kole said, “I believe the most important thing is to give parents confidence and reassurance, so they can feel comfortable entrusting their children to us. Letting go is never easy, especially for a 2-year-old like Niya.”

ECE Coordinator Kole joins the classroom to 

read picture books with the children

Yuki shared, “I remember the first time I brought Niya to school; she was crying so much that I almost wanted to take her home early. But the ECE Coordinator told me, ‘Trust the teachers, we will take good care of her.’ That trust strengthened the bond between parents and the school and helped Niya thrive in a caring environment.”

ECE Coordinator Kole stayed in close 

touch with Yuki about Niya’s progress.

Yuki shared her experience and offered advice to other parents: “When facing a child’s separation anxiety at school, the most important thing for parents is to adjust their mindset, understand that their child’s emotions are a normal reaction, and not doubt the decisions they’ve made.”

She also emphasized the importance of trusting the school and teachers’ professional expertise: “We need to trust the teachers—they have handled many children’s first experiences at school.”

“Every child’s growth takes time; give them enough support and companionship.” Yuki’s words provide a warm guide for parents.

Yuki concluded by saying, “I hope Niya can develop fully while maintaining her uniqueness. CIS has met my expectations for an ideal education, and my child has received ample care and opportunities to grow here.” Her words truly reflect her recognition of CIS’s educational vision: “Academic Excellence, Caring Commnuinty.”

We warmly invite more families to join CIS and create a nurturing, opportunity-filled future for our children together.