>> And you are /absolutely/ right about giving kids plenty of big-muscle play. <<

Sooth.

>> I actually picked out the oldest's first grade teacher /because/ he was willing to get the kids up and moving in between /every/ academic task, which was unusual at the time,<<

Good for you.

>> and nearly unheard of now. <<

Which is a serious problem.

>> I love that she's /not/ aware of how much she's changed, just by being willing to ask, rather than holding to the assumption that it's not worth asking because the answer is always 'no.' <<

I think it helps that Lakia has someone to check her assumptions, to see if what she remembers is current or past. Just that can make a big difference -- and it works long before someone manages to internalize the changes. She is beginning to settle into her new home enough to interact with people in more positive ways.

Hannah isn't made of money but she is perfectly willing to hand out well-earned treats, and she has a terrific stock of toys partly because she pays attention to what things really work for kids.