Most children begin learning how to interact at home with their immediate family. After developing a certain level of comfort and security in this setting, entering a school environment can be extremely jarring. Children experience a new environment to navigate featuring separation from their primary caretakers, the institution of a new authority figure in the teacher and engagement with peers. Though it might be impossible to totally eliminate the impact of beginning school, steps can be taken to lessen the blow and help children integrate successfully. Building trust with the teacher, encouragement from parents and close monitoring of interactions with peers can help create a smooth transition and successful integration.
Preschool-age children learn significantly through playing and exploration. This poses a dilemma, as a balance must be achieved between freedom and exploration on the one hand and caution and safety on the other. Children need instruction, authority and a structured setting to successfully become a part of the classroom environment and to learn to navigate the social world. At the same time, exploration should be encouraged as openly as possible, within appropriate parameters, for children to learn, process information and begin developing their sense of individuality and preferences.
At an early age, many young children begin to develop traits related to anxiety. Shyness, inhibition and withdrawal can stifle a child's growth by discouraging exploration and novel experiences. Even at the preschool age, children who become successfully integrated into the group setting can begin to fear negative evaluation from their peers or teachers. To combat this, positive reinforcement should be used. Children can be taught to look for positive traits in each other and teachers can focus on individual successes as well as the effort children put forth. Positive reinforcement teaches children they can face unknown situations and make mistakes because it’s the process of learning that’s most important, not always the outcome.
Preschool children make significant social advances by interacting with their peers. These interactions should be allowed, but also closely monitored in such a way that fosters honesty and positive interaction. Children at the ages of three and four can begin to use social aggression such as emotional blackmail, such as "I'll be your friend if you give me the toy," and negative evaluation of peers, such as “He’s mean, don’t let him play with us.” Although free socialization should be encouraged, a real effort should also be made to discourage social aggression that can lead to bullying and to encourage positive social habits that can be carried forward into adolescence and adulthood.