My three year old is at a private day nursery, he would be starting school September 2023.
This summer just gone he started becoming very anxious and upset saying he didn't want to go to school. Turned out he thought he'd be going this September with some of his nursery friends. Chatted about how he was younger and would be going to school next September.
He is very very vocal and verbal. From being about two he'd say he didn't want to go to school anytime it was mentioned in passing. We've always answered that lots of children love school, talked about the positives, etc.
I'm neurodiverse as is his big brother and I suspect DS2 is too but so far no one else is "concerned". Nursery I think aren't seeing any "issues" and dad is head in the sand. My older son's paediatrician though instantly commented after spending five minutes with him and even mentioned his traits in big brother's report. He's very sensory averse to noise, doesn't like his peers in his space, likes to know what's happening when, very clingy with me, repeats stuff over and over, demanding of attention, resists sleep, won't poo in the loo/potty, quite contrary, very energetic, very clever and curious, and good vocab for age.
He started at a day nursery at two after lockdown and really struggled there, I think it was too big and busy and loud for him. We moved him to a smaller, calmer nursery which he settled into much better.
I don't know what I'm asking really.
I'm concerned for him starting school in Sept 23. I think he's going to struggle with the busy loud class, demands, etc. I've not let on this to him though. Any time we've chatted about school I've explained it's not until xyz and it's nice at school.
Has anyone else had a child really upset at the thought of going to school?? Any advice on how I can help him??