This Month in Roadrunner Cottage...

​We have made it through the first six weeks! What a great group of children we have! Everyone is settling in and getting the hang of the routine. By this time most children have found a favorite activity they like to start with, whether it is sewing, puppet making, necklace making, working with clay, puzzle maps, writing a story, metal insets or snack. If they aren’t sure what they want to do, I invite them to work with me, either individually or in a small group. This week Mr. Alex and Mr. Kurt started dismantling/rebuilding our deck!  That is very exciting and they have quite an audience. The mornings really fly by!

I will open the classroom up for observations starting October 14. You can come in and sign up for a morning time, 9 a.m. on a Tuesday or Thursday, on the calendar on the desk in our cubby room. One person at a time, please. If your child is an afternoon child, you can sign up for an afternoon observation at 12:45 Mon-Thurs. Morning observations last about 30 minutes. Afternoon observations last 45 minutes to an hour.

 If you sign up for a morning observation, we will have a chair for you to sit and watch.  We ask that you interact with the children as little as possible. If they come up and chat, you can say hi. If they ask why you are there, you can say something like, “I came to watch you work” and encourage them to do that. As they get used to having observers they will get better about it, but some do like to chat. If we see someone who is especially chatty we will come help redirect them.  Let your child know ahead of time that you will be coming and explain what you will be doing. Make sure they understand that you will leave when it is time and that they will be staying. If your child is totally concentrating on something when it is time to leave, please don’t disturb them. If they see that you are leaving and want to give you a kiss and hug good-bye, great. Hopefully, it will not be too disruptive. Feel your child out ahead of time. Ask if they would like you to come and watch them work. If your child is the type that has trouble leaving you, then maybe wait a while. Observations will continue throughout the year. We may close for a couple of weeks at the beginning of January as everyone resettles in, but there will be plenty of time.  

If you sign up for an afternoon observation, you will come in and actually work with your child, not just sit and watch. This is their time to direct you and show you what they like doing. They may want to do something for you, they may want to give you a lesson or they may want you to do something with them. It is up to them, so please let them lead. You can stay up to an hour, at which time you can either leave with your child or leave your child until regular pick up time. Discuss with them ahead of time what you are going to do so that they know. 


I try not to interfere with the work your child chooses or does not choose so that you get a true picture of how they spend their days. I would love to hear any feedback or questions you may have after you observe.  You never know what you will see as you sit in on a class, but I guarantee the children will amaze you!