Mia, 4.5 years

The hard moments land almost always between kindergarten pickup and dinner

last month

Getting dressed is a daily fight: the trousers are wrong, the sock scratches

5 days agorecent change

Once she settles she comes over and says sorry on her own, unprompted

last week

Hit her mum twice in ten days when something was taken away

last week

Teachers describe her as calm and cooperative, helps the younger children

last month

Has two steady friends, Iva and Nora, looks for them the moment she walks in

3 weeks ago

Moved up to the older group six weeks ago, new room and new teacher

last month

Asks dozens of questions a day, mostly about animals and space

last month

Will listen to an explanation for five minutes without interrupting if the topic is hers

2 weeks ago

Holds it together right up to the last minute, then gives way all at once

last month

Likes knowing what comes next; an announced plan goes far better than a surprise

2 months ago

The afternoon nap went three months ago, with nothing replacing that rest

since May

Bedtime runs about 40 minutes of stalling: water, one more story, the toilet

last week

Once she's asleep she sleeps through; wakings are rare

last week

Dresses herself when she isn't tired, manages a zip and large buttons

3 weeks ago

Speech is clear and fluent, tells joined-up stories with a beginning and an end

2 months ago

Favourite topics right now: cats, dinosaurs, why the sky is blue

4 weeks ago