Objective To describe evaluations of the common behavioral paradigm of maternal separation in rats and mice and recent findings regarding the underlying biological mechanisms, and to analyze experimental data regarding the specific effects of maternal separation duration and separation frequency. Methods Recent studies examining the cognitive and psychological effects of early life stress on rats and mice were obtained using multiple search platforms. Behavioral evaluation method. Results and potential mechanisms are described. Results The establishment of an animal maternal separation model represents an important method for exploring long-term psychosomatic diseases related to negative events in early life, with wide applicability. Conclusions At present, different researches have explored the cognitive, psychological changes and pathogenesis of animal models in many aspects and made some progress. However, the cognitive and behavioral changes caused by different separation frequencies and durations are uncertain, and their effects on gene expression in offspring and parents warrant further exploration.