It's a situation every parent dreads: your child is simply not adjusting well to preschool. Your child may cry for extended periods of time, throw tantrums, or refuse to participate in group activities. Before you make the decision to withdraw your child, take these steps to help them acclimate to the preschool setting.

1. Stay with Your Child for a Few Days

If possible, try staying with your child at preschool for a few days. Preschool can be frightening change for children who are used to being with their parents every day. Help them adjust to this change by staying with them. Children may be more receptive to participating in preschool activities if someone they trust is in the room.

One idea is to go to preschool with your child and then leave for progressively longer periods. For example, if preschool is three hours long, go, stay for an hour, leave for 15 minutes, then come back for the rest of the session. Increase the 15 minute period by another 10 or 15 minutes each time until your child gets used to being at preschool alone.

2. Send a Favorite Object to School

Try sending your child to school with a favorite object, such as a security blanket or stuffed animal. Make sure to label the item so that it doesn't get lost.

Having a familiar item can help your child adjust to the new setting. When something feels frightening or overwhelming, your child can use the favorite item to assist with self soothing.

3. Keep Goodbyes Short and Simple

Kids are notorious for picking up on their parent's stress levels. If you spend minutes anxiously telling your child goodbye, this is only going to feed your child's existing uncertainty about preschool.

Instead, give your child a hug and a kiss, say goodbye, and leave the room. By showing confidence about the preschool experience, you help your child realize that preschool is a positive place to be.

4. Make Sure the Preschool Is a Good Fit

If the preschool has a constant rotation of teachers who tend to the children, it may not be a good fit for your child. Children who are apprehensive about preschool benefit from having the same teachers every time they attend. This helps them form bonds with their caregivers so they can enjoy preschool.

No parent wants to feel like their child is suffering while at preschool. Unfortunately, some children do not adjust as quickly as others. If your child is struggling with preschool, try these tips and talk to an educator like Youthland Academy for more ways to help your child warm to the experience.