Wow Bath i can't explain what level of relief that feels for me to hear about your DD ... I too was incredibly shy at school, though take me out of the classroom i was the opposite with school friends, i could actually do a one-woman comedy show for them at recess break & cringe when i got ask to do the same thing in drama class.

Anyway, getting to my point ... my 3 year old DD is incredibly sociable with people of all ages, she can strike a conversation up with anyone ... she has been like it as long as i can remember. Because DP & i were so shy as a child and as a teenager we decided long ago we would do all we could without being pushing to encourage DD with her social interactive skills & try best we can to preserve & nuture them in her.

I grew up with a Mother who cruelly made every effort to make me conscience about whether i was of low intellect or not??, if i could succeed in 'anything' in life, right down to my physical appearance (such as am i overweight or do i need a tan). Also she made me paranoid of whether people would value me as worthwhile

Luckily for me (without any support from family) at a young age i remember believing within myself & feeling my own Mother could possibly not be telling me the truth (which obviously one's Mother would) BUT i DID know my Mother was extremely different to others ... as to put it simple i feared her. I managed to float above it all and educated myself without my parents help ... hell, i even did a modelling course & went onto do some modelling

So, i guess what i'm trying to say with my having experienced those feelings i am going to do my hardest for my DD to not experience similar feelings for as long as possible (meaning chances are someone else might in the her future which is sadly likely to happen).

Thank you Bath i so needed to know that the schooling system can nurture & more importantly praise that skill within a student. Fingers crossed DD will carry that wonderful social skill by the time she is in school