ABSTRACT
The prospect of entering primary school is an important moment in the development of the child and his parents. Anxiety, excitement, pride, and doubt may all accompany this next step for parent and child. Mothers talk about feeling that it is the end of an era, that they feel they have lost their nursery aged little child, who is disappearing into the “big school” crowd. Big school has a hierarchy, many layers of older children, and physically the place is usually larger. The parent needs to work with the teacher on how best to manage such experiences for the particular child. It helps if there is a coordinated approach; clear messages can help the child know what is expected of him both at home and school, and by teacher and parent. The child faces different expectations in his new school. In nursery school, the boundaries between work and play are usually more fluid.
