A difficult start
Starting school is difficult for many children. The change from being in nursery to being in 'proper' school is a big one. It may be the first time the child has to manage without their mother. They may see meeting so many strange children as a threat rather than an opportunity.

The child will change during the school years
Usually children of school age are very interested in learning new things all the time. Children absorb knowledge. Their powers of observation and memory increase and their ability to learn by heart is better than it will ever be.

Children's sense of their own identity is increased and they will grow increasingly conscious of their own gender - in other words, whether they are girls or boys.

Gender roles in the school years
There has been some blurring of the gender roles between girls and boys. But typically, it is still boys who play the violent or rough games whereas the girls prefer quieter activities such as skipping, playing ball games and playing with dolls.

Often children of this age will prefer to play with other children of their own sex.

Does the child feel comfortable in school?
If the child is comfortable in school and gets on well with friends and teachers, most parents will feel that their child is in a calm and stable period.

Other families aren't so lucky. Children may encounter problems that the parents did not expect. If the child's performance compares badly with other children this can also cause unexpected problems.

Under these circumstances, a huge responsibility is placed on parents as well as on teachers.

What kind of problems can arise?
The child may have difficulties keeping up with the rest of the class in lessons. They may skip school sometimes and parents may find out that their child is lying, stealing or committing acts of vandalism with friends. This can be a sign of insecurity or a weakened ability to learn.

One of the most common problems is with reading. One child in 10 has difficulties keeping up with the rest of the class in the development of reading and spelling skills. Not only will such children have difficulties coping with their own language but reading problems will make it more difficult for them to study in other subjects as well. They may lose interest in schoolwork and feel that they are stupid. If heavy requirements are put on your child in the early school years, he or she may not be mature enough to cope.

It may take a lot of effort time and energy for the child to obtain results that other children achieve relatively easily. In this case the child's self-esteem may be undermined and their insecurity increased. This may eventually lead to symptoms of nervousness, such as finger-sucking, nail-biting, irritation, restlessness, lack of concentration and sleeping difficulties.

The school years are a time of many demands and requirements and some children may develop the first signs of nervous and physical problems, which may cause problems throughout their life.

Fortunately, however, most children find that school is a time of exciting and happy challenges that they can cope with.

How can parents and the school help?
The sooner reading and writing difficulties are noticed and remedies put into action, the greater the possibility will be of a successful result. Parents should take time to help their children with their homework and follow their progress in school. By doing this, most difficulties the child may have will be noticed and necessary action taken early.

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