ABSTRACT
Endless fascinating stories can be told about a child's first day at full-time school. Sensing that the parent is upset, some children become so frightened that they burst out crying and refuse to go into school and again it is striking to see the extent to which the parent's reaction to the tears influences the behaviour of the child. Other schools will offer that child and parent the opportunity to come into school and gradually become acquainted with its geography and atmosphere. Even when this is unacceptable to mother and child, a member of staff will speak to them in such a way that they feel that their reaction is understandable and acceptable, not final nor pathological, and this does make it easier for a more successful attempt the next day. If mother and child are left to their own resources, the chances are that they will go home and wait for the next day to undertake a new attempt.
