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| |    Adjustment Problems in Preschool by Dr. Benjamin Spock reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. Some children make hard work of preschool in the early days and weeks. The large group, the new friends, and the new things to do get them keyed up and worn out. If your child is too tired at first, it doesn't mean that she can't adjust to school, but only that you have to compromise for a while until she is used to it. Discuss with her teacher whether it would be wise to cut down her school time temporarily. Sometimes, coming to school in the middle of the morning is the best answer. Taking the easily tired child home before the end of the school day works less well because she hates to leave in the middle of the fun. The problem of fatigue in the early weeks is further complicated in an all-day school by the fact that a certain number of children are too stimulated or nervous to go to sleep at naptime at first. Keeping the child at home one or two days a week may be the answer to this temporary problem. Trouble on the home front Some small children starting preschool preserve their self-control in school in spite of fatigue but fall apart when they come home. From the teacher's point of view, the child appears to be handling everything smoothly, but the parents can easily observe the signs of overtiredness. This calls for extra patience and a conference between parent and teacher, so that they can share their knowledge about the child. A well-trained preschool teacher ought to be, and usually is, a very understanding person. A parent shouldn't hesitate to talk over the child's problems with the teacher, whether or not those problems are connected with school. A teacher gets a different slant and has probably faced the same problems before in other cases. For example, once alerted that a child is showing some signs of strain, a teacher might notice that the child plays alone much of the time because she doesn't feel comfortable joining a group of children. Some gentle help from the teacher can turn a tense and tiring morning into a time of joyful play and learning. Another child who seems always polite and well behaved may need encouragement to loosen up and get a little dirty. Another child may need an extra hug from time to time in order to feel better. When teachers and parents team up, they more than double their ability to sense a child's needs and meet them.
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