the transition from home to school/preschool

[TForce]

I have a 3.5 year old son. We are planning for him to start half day preschool this fall. Any ideas to ease the transition? He is in two classes at the YMCA, but he is not that interested in participating. He loved swimming class when I was in the pool with him. But now we have another baby (i.e. I can't really go in the pool with him), and he will not go in the pool with the teachers. But then, all week long he talk about wanting to go to swimming classes, and I have to tell him it's only one day a week. Then I tried a gymnastics class with him, but he only wanted to play with the train that was in the room. He wasn't interested in participating/interacting with the teacher. Any ideas of how to encourage interaction with teachers and other kids? I don't want the preschool experience to be a big drama, and I'd like to ease our way into it.

[jillmamma]

Do you know anyone else who will also be attending? Is it possible to get a class roster ahead of time? If so, it might help to set up a few playdates with some other kids in his class to help him get to know them. Can you go and observe the class with him so he can see the classroom and all the cool/fun stuff there? Also, maybe set up a time to meet up with the teachers and get to know them? Another thought is to get some books about going to school and read those with your DS so he understands that others do it too and the routine. Can you possibly get a copy of the class schedule so you can talk about that with your DS and help him get familiar with it?