From 8 to 14 months, children experience fear when they are denied familiar and safe situations. They recognize their parents as familiar and safe. When separated from parents, they feel threatened and unsafe.

Separation anxiety is a normal development stage that usually decreases around 2 years old, when toddlers begin to understand that parents may be out of sight but will return. At this age, there is also a desire to test their autonomy.

Resolution of separation anxiety depends on an adequate sense of safety and trust in people other than parents, trust and safety in their environment, and trust in their parent's return.

Even after children have successfully mastered this developmental stage, separation anxiety may return during periods of stress. Most children will experience some degree of separation anxiety when in unfamiliar situations, especially when separated from parents.

When children are in situations (such as hospitals) and are experiencing stress (such as illness or pain), they seek the safety, comfort, and protection of their parents. When parents cannot be with their children in these situations, the child experiences distress.

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