Dear AJ

Thank you for posting. I understand your concern for your daughter.

At four years of age your daughter should be happy at school and as she has been at school for over 6 months it is important to meet with the teachers and establish why she is unhappy at school. I would also recommend that you spend a day or two at school observing the way your daughter interacts with her teachers and the other children.

At home it is important to role model acceptable ways of expressing anger and frustration through the assertive use of words. Using punitive methods such as smacking to discipline her at home will mean she will do the same to her class mates. Depending on what you observe at school and your  meeting with the teachers it may be necessary to change schools or take your daughter for play therapy with a professional child psychologist.

Let me know how your meeting goes with the school.