Jennifer is showing signs of forming a strong attachment to her father. This is positive, but it also means that when her father leaves, she expresses her distress the only way she knows how - she cries. Even though you may love and care for a child, and children do form attachments to you, the child should be encouraged and supported to form her first and deepest attachments with parents. The strong bond developed between parent and child is the blueprint the child will have for all other relationships. Your being there for both the parent and the child will make this growing phase a less stressful one and one that can be seen for its signs of healthy development instead of distress and difficulty.
Attachment behavior draws on both the thinking and feeling parts of development.
It is a very important part of growing into a healthy adult. Children who have strong attachments in early life seem to make friends more easily as adults. Let them know that their child is right on target for healthy development both emotionally and cognitively. Let the parent know they can call to make sure their child has calmed down and is doing okay. Ask the parent to bring in family pictures that you can show the child and talk about throughout the day.