Hi there, My daughter is 11.5 years old and in good health. She is very tiny - the shortest child in her grade. She is only 54 tall and weighs about 55lb. This is typical for her and she has remained on the same growth curves since she was small - so this is just her natural physique. I am 5 6 and my husband is 5 9.5 and both of us were slim as children as well. My question is about her hormonal development. In the last year or so, she has developed some fine underarm and pubic hair and I have just noticed the very beginning of breast buds - a bit of swelling around the breast area. Given how tiny she is, I am surprised to see this already. I didn t get my period until I was 15, so I would have expected these signs of puberty to come later in her as well given her size. I have heard that girls have the bulk of their growth PRIOR to getting their periods. I am worried that she seems to be well on her way to getting her period soon given her development so far, but she is still only 4.5 feet tall! Given her development to date (fine underarm and pubic hair and the beginning of swelling around the breast area), should I expect her to get her period soon? And can she still continue to have the bulk of her growth spurt after the start of her period? I would really like to see her hit at least 5 3 ! Many thanks for your input! Sharon