Chat with them about the key areas of their preschool life, such as their friends, the games, the outdoor activities, the snacks and lunches, the toilets and the preschool staff.

Your child’s class teacher is the best source of information regarding their progress in preschool. Make a special appointment to speak to the teacher, then explain your concerns to them and listen to their observations.

The problem may be solved quite easily. For instance, a change to another group within the class or additional help from their preschool teacher for a few days may be all your child needs to make them feel more settled.

Whatever the problem, make sure your child goes to school regularly. Take them there even though they may be tearful, all the time reassuring them that they will be fine. Remain calm throughout.

This can be another factor causing your child unhappiness in preschool. If they feel insecure about their home life, they may unconsciously be afraid to go to preschool in case something happens while they are away.

A young child can feel insecure about their home life for many reasons, such as if someone in the family is seriously ill, their parents fight a lot in front of them, there is a new baby in the family, or a close relative has died recently.

Although having an older brother in the same preschool can be reassuring initially, it may mean she will be judged against their sibling – and this can be intimidating.

For example, if their older brother made very quick progress, then their performance may be compared to their sibling’s by the preschool staff and possibly even your relatives and friends.

So, make a specific effort to avoid unproductive comparisons and speak to the staff if you discover they are making such comparisons.

This article was first published in Young Parents. 

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