My DC is currently very shy with strangers and large groups of people. DC hates participating in "circle time" or other group activities and just turns into himself. At home and around friends he is VERY social. I want his first school experience to be a positive one so I am wondering if anyone can recommend a particular pre-school that their own "shy" child has flourished in. Thanks in advance.

my son gradually wanted to go down for his morning nap later (went from org being 10 am to now at Noon). when that happened he just never wanted to go down for another nap later in the day. This happened when he was about 16 mos old.
Don't worry too much about the transition, it seems most toddlers transition when they are ready on their own. Some don't until later but they all do eventually.

The Discipline Book by Dr Sears. I like the way they break it down into very developmentally appropriate ways of responding. Young children's cognative abilities really change a lot so it's so helpful to read from that perspective- so you don't expect too much from them too soon.