This paper describes two programs for primary grade children designed to increase students' sense of self-esteem by enabling them to have a more successful school experience and to minimize maladaptive behavior related to school stress. The programs were developed as preventative programs to decrease later school problems. A Child-Aide program was initiated at the kindergarten level, and, after the first year, served 30 children from 10 kindergartens in three schools. The program involved the identification of children with potential school problems through teacher ratings and a parent questionnaire. An aide was hired to work individually with three of these children from each kindergarten class for 20-minute daily sessions. The second program involved weekly class meetings for first grade children. These meetings were designed to encourage the development of: (1) self-esteem and personal identity, (2) group identity, and (3) a sense of unity within the family. The meetings focused on ways in which the participants could help each other in resolving school problems. Parents were encouraged to attend each meeting. Followup studies indicated some positive results from the programs. In addition to describing the implementation and evaluation of the programs, the paper also discusses some of the problems and solutions involved in the development of new programs in a conservative community with limited funds. (BD)