books to help prepare kids for preschool/nursery

[naturalbaby]

Ds is 3.1yrs and had a taster session at nursery the other day and it was the worst scenario i could imagine. he starts in september so i wan't to get a book for him to read to help him understand what's going to happen. he just totally lost it when i said i was leaving and was hysterical. he knew it was only for a few minutes and that i was coming back, he had his comforter, i was really positive before hand etc etc but he's never been left anywhere like that before.

we had a great book for potty training and he loved it, it really helped the whole process so i've just thought there might be a book about starting nursery that might help him?

[TooTiredToArgue]

Hello naturalbaby

No advice to offer, I'm afraid, but thought I'd let you know that I'm in exactly the same position as you, and not sure how to deal with it.

Went to taster session yesterday, and while DS loved the place/toys etc, he kicked up an almighty fuss the minute I strayed too far away from him. He refused to listen to the story at the end on his own (or with the lovely staff), even though I was standing in the door way. On the way home he said he didn't want to go to pre-school because he didn't want me to leave him there.

He's only ever been left with my husband or mum, noone else, and he's naturally shy. Not sure what to do.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack. Any other MN'ers who've been through similar and have managed to settle their children with minimal upset? Thanks.

P.S. Just had a quick look on Amazon. Do you think this would be any good?
www.amazon.co.uk/My-First-Day-Nursery-School/dp/1582349096/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1309676895&sr=8-24&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[naturalbaby]

that book looks good, all the other books i've seen are about school.

my boy has also only been left with my mum and husband, and only ever for a few hours at the most. it takes him ages to warm up to new groups and join in, and he will only do it when he's ready rather than go with the group and join in all together. he's been going to a group once a week with all the kids who will be starting nursery with him in september but it's not in the nursery building with the nursery staff so even though he knew the kids on the taster morning it meant nothing to him! the more i push it the more he pulls back but i don't want to drop him in it without knowing and understanding what is going to happen.

i know it'll be amazing for him once he's settled but i know we're going to have weeks of the drama every morning till he's happy to go. i've shown him lots of other nursery's were the kids are playing really happily on his own - attached to a few toddler groups we go to so he sees what goes on and has even chatted over the fence to nursery staff who told him how much fun he would have.

[bumpybecky]

we've had several books on starting (pre)school there's a Maisie mouse one, Charlie and Lola and Splat the Cat ( www.amazon.co.uk/Splat-Cat-Rob-Scotton/dp/0007284543?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 )

I'd go to the local library and ask. Our library has a section for books for difficult experiences (bereavement, hospital visits, dentist etc) and there are books there for starting school

[naturalbaby]

Splat the cat looks good, and I saw the Maisie book the other day. Will go to library this week and take the camera to our nursery visit then cross my fingers!