A little separation anxiety is normal for preschoolers, but if your child continues to refuse to go to school after a week or two of preschool, probe a little further to find out why. You may be able to address a concern your child has about the school. For example, if your child is intimidated by a child at school, talk to the teacher about the problem and try to resolve it. If your child is responding to an anxiety-inducing atmosphere, however, consider finding a school with a more laid-back approach.
A child who suddenly doesn't want to look at books or play learning games may be responding to an overly academic environment at preschool. To meet academic standards that were elevated in 2002 by the No Child Left Behind Act, some preschools have resorted to drilling math facts and working on writing. Some preschoolers respond well to this sort of curriculum, but others are not ready for such academic rigor. Many children this age respond best to activities that offer exploration and hands-on learning instead of worksheets and flashcards.
A child who starts to have more problems with siblings than usual may be responding to aggression she experiences at preschool. A certain amount of conflict between siblings is normal and expected, but a change in sibling relationships may indicate that something is going on with school. If you suspect this to be the case, ask your child's teacher about how your child is interacting with other children. You and the teacher may be able to work out a solution. Children may act out more at preschools that feature too much unstructured time, so switch schools if this is the case.
When children start preschool, parents should anticipate a slight increase in illnesses at home. Children in preschool classrooms sneeze on each other, share pencils and crayons, and hold hands on the playground. But if you find that your child is continually sick, the preschool may not be a good fit for your child. Perhaps the classroom is not cleaned often enough, or maybe the environment is stressful enough to weaken your child's immune system. Talk to your pediatrician about any preschool-related concerns you may have.