So we had our first review with Alina´s teacher yesterday.  All the children were having it.  It was quite insightful.  Even though there were no surprises, we know our little daughter, it was also strange to hear some of her characteristics spoken out loud.

Firstly Sylvia (teacher) is very happy with how she is getting on.  Alina is relaxed and happy there, participates in all the activities, and is doing really well with German.  We asked if there was any favourite activity, and it seems to be singing, dancing, and reading.  While she is happy to paint and make things, having seen her artwork, my daughter is not “that way inclined”….like her mother and father before her!

Sylvia was very impressed with her German, she says that Alina is talking to her in German, even repeating phrases that she may have heard only once.  The Catalan teacher says she understands everything and is speaking well, and thought that Spanish was her first language!  Sylvia definitely felt that languages is Alina´s very strong point.  I am so impressed with how she has fitted into a school where they speak two languages she did not know (German fully in class, and 2 mornings of Catalan with another teacher).

Another thing Sylvia commented on is that she is perfectionist.  We also knew this.   She likes everything to be just so…including the helm of her tights.  She gets nervous around new situations, and but once she is familiar with it, she relaxes and enjoys it.  She likes plenty of encouragement…the Leo in her?

Alina is an observer….she takes everything in before she commits or passes her judgement.  She is very independent and likes to do things for herself.  This means she is also slow at doing things…and she will not be rushed.

She eats well, even things that she does not love, she will try to eat.  She likes to finish her food, but if she says she is done, she is done.

And then the area of concern….friends.  Alina, while fitting it (no bullying or being bullied),  is perfectly happy to play by herself.  All the time.  While there is one girl she plays with on occasion, she does not really have friends…and this does not bother her at all.   I knew this.  And yet i found it hard to hear.  My daughter is reserved.  Happier in the company of adults she knows, her baby brother, or just by herself.  Even kids she knows, she will not make a huge effort to integrate with.

There is no doubt she takes time to warm up…to all adults and new situations…but she does warm up.  She is quite shy initially, which given her aura of confidence, this can be seen as aloofness at times.  Sylvia said it was important for us to arrange more play dates and encourage her to hang out with kids.  She also said she needs alone time with us…something we also knew (i have a half day with her during the week while i leave luca at school),  but it is good to have it reinforced.

Sylvia said she has a strange mix…she is timid, but yet with a very strong character.

All in all, I think the above is very accurate.  My daughter is happy and kind, but also reserved and nervous.  She is gifted at languages and not so gifted creatively.  She is polite and does not misbehave, and is happy to toe the line unless it is something she is really uncomfortable doing.  Alina is a perfectionist, independent, and advanced but also really needing praise and encouragement.  She can be a bit of a loner, happy with her books.  She likes to be in her comfort zone, and needs time to warm up to new people and new situations, but will try anything (that does not seem scary!).  She can be self conscious.  She also loves having fun.

My Princess is nearly 3 and a half, and in many ways she really does remind me of my Granny Garvey at times.  I am so proud of my happy, independent, thoughtful, easy, little lady.  Of course there are always areas that we need to help and encourage her with, but overall the review went very well. We are incredibly lucky.