Advice on reception year school move

[redtreesummer]

We are moving house and to a new city. Moving for great reasons and a better quality of life and I think it will be really good for the family including DS who is nearly 5. The move is planned for early next year and will include moving his school obviously. He is really happy at school and made the transition from nursery really well. We have started to talk about the move but DS gets upset and says he does not want to move his school.

I wonder if anyone has any advice on how to manage the move, I hate to see him upset and wonder if talking about it is helping him prepare or extending the period of upset.

Little nudge, possible no one has any experience but just in case anyone has any advice...

We sprang a move on DD (weren't moving house). The thing I wish I had known was that she didn't know schools are basically the same, so in her 5 year old mind it was a far bigger and scarier unknown than I realised. So I guess my tip would be explaining how similar it will be.

I wouldn't talk about it repeatedly, wait til near the time. I would respond to all feelings by accepting them, naming them. "You feel sad about that" sort of thing. They can process feelings in their own way then rather than us trying to jolly them out of it. They can't imagine all the great things you can about the move so stay in the present moment.

An aside- the book The Beasties is lovely on moving house. DD asked for it at bedtime recently as such fond memories (she's 12!)

Thank you that is so helpful, I will order that book now!