At what age may a child begin to show signs of separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety typically begins to manifest around 6 months of age. At this stage, infants start to develop a stronger attachment to their primary caregivers and may exhibit distress when separated from them. This behavioral response is a normal part of emotional and social development, indicating that the child recognizes and values their attachment figure.

Around this age, children start to understand that the caregiver exists independently and that separation can occur, leading to feelings of anxiety when they experience that separation. This is often characterized by crying, clinginess, or searching for the caregiver when they are out of sight.

By the time they reach 1 year, separation anxiety may peak as toddlers become more aware of their surroundings and the concept of absence. As they grow older, children generally learn to cope better with separations, so while it can still be present at 2 years, it is not typically recognized as a 'beginning' sign of separation anxiety.