Anxiety or normal 4 year old behaviour?

Natalie • Midwife. 29. Mama to Clea 👧🏼❤️ & Freddie 👶🏼❤️ Wife to Elliott 👰🏼❤️

Clea has developed a real anxiety over the past 6 months which she has never had before. She worries about everything and asks ‘what if...?’ It started when she had to finish nursery early (due to covid) and leave her old teacher and some friends behind. She was so nervous and worried about starting reception when things opened back up again. However, her parents’ evening was amazing and they said she’s really settled, had lots of friends and is working really well, but every morning she asks not to go to school - ‘what if I miss you?’ The hearts on our hands (charged up for when she misses me) seem to work and she always comes out of school happy, but we spoke to her teacher this morning and she advised a ‘worry monster’ and an accompanying book, which I’ve ordered. We also list 4 things that have made us happy in the day before bed. She’s such a happy little girl and I just want to make sure I’m handling it the best I can. She seems so happy in herself until she has a worry. She just ‘wants to be with mommy and daddy’ all the time. Any advice would be appreciated ❤️