The article determines the relevance of research problems of adaptation of first-graders to school and coping with difficult situations arising in this period. The selected approaches to the study of the factors of school adaptation and the urgency of the study of coping with difficult situations as a factor in the success of entering first graders in learning environment. The analysis of theoretical provisions to the problem of school adaptation and response features children to the emerging challenges. The results of empirical research aimed at the study of the nature of children coping with difficult situations – features of frustrated reactions and ways of coping behavior; the results of research of interrelation of characteristics of school adaptation of first-graders and the nature of the response to a difficult situation. The model of school adaptation of first-graders with regard to the coping mechanism of kids with tough situations, is developed on the basis of the analysis of theoretical provisions and empirical study.