Squeak, squeak! Hello! My name is Joy, and I’m the little (felt) mouse who lives just outside Ms. Lisa’s office in my very own tiny house. If you haven’t met me yet, please stop by sometime and say hello – I love visitors!
As a Reggio-inspired school, Total Child values child-led learning and meaningful connections with our community. The construction project – and our excellent bird’s-eye view of it from some of our classrooms – has sparked lots of curiosity and interest among our students. We were thrilled to welcome community experts into our school and give the children an opportunity to learn directly from the people doing the work they have been observing.
Mr. Joe and Ms. Erin introduced the children to words and ideas such as safety vests, hard hats, blueprints, and foundations. Hearing these terms explained by people who use them every day helped make the vocabulary meaningful and concrete. The children also learned that construction gear serves an important purpose and it’s much more than a costume!
The children had the opportunity to ask questions, share their observations, and learn more about the work happening right outside our windows. I have a feeling their new knowledge will soon find its way into their play, inspiring new ideas and even more elaborate construction-themed dramatic play!
We’re excited to continue watching the construction project take shape, and to welcome more community members to Total Child to share their knowledge and experiences with our curious learners.
Once upon a time, at Total Child school, there lived a little white felt mouse with a very
big heart. Her name was Joy. Joy was curious. Joy was cautious. Joy walked very, very quietly.
Tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe!
She lived in the hallway behind the sofa at Total Child, but wished she had a home of her own.
Every morning, Joy peeked out from behind the sofa.
Peek, peek, peek!
She saw children painting. She saw children reading. She saw children laughing and singing!
Joy wished she could join the fun. But she was a very timid mouse, and timid mice are
sometimes scared that children don’t want to be their friend.
Hide, hide, hide!
At night, when the school was quiet, Joy came out to explore before the cleaners came.
She found tiny crumbs. “The children left me food!” Joy said.
Nibble, nibble, nibble.
She found felt and colorful yarn. She wove them together into walls.
“The teachers left me materials to make a house!”
Build, build, build!
Joy found a mini pencil and a piece of paper.
“The directors left me a way to leave a note!”
Scribble, scribble, scribble.
One morning, the children found a tiny picture on their table.
It was signed by Joy the mouse.
“Maybe it was from our very own magical school mouse!” they shouted.
From that day on, the children, teachers, and directors continued to leave tiny gifts for Joy —little crumbs, colorful felt, and bits of paper. And Joy felt happy and continued to leave little notes for the children, teachers, and directors.
Joy loved her home at Total Child, where everyone was welcome and found friends. And they all lived happily ever after.
Please read my blog for updates on what I have been doing and seeing from my special home in the school. Sometimes the kids may even help me write this!!
Joy’s Corner
Dear Humans,
Squeak, squeak! Hello! My name is Joy, and I’m the little (felt) mouse who lives just outside Ms. Lisa’s office in my very own tiny house. If you haven’t met me yet, please stop by sometime and say hello – I love visitors!
Construction Workers Visit
September 18, 2026
By Total Child
As a Reggio-inspired school, Total Child values child-led learning and meaningful connections with our community. The construction project – and our excellent bird’s-eye view of it from some of our classrooms – has sparked lots of curiosity and interest among our students. We were thrilled to welcome community experts into our school and give the children an opportunity to learn directly from the people doing the work they have been observing.
Mr. Joe and Ms. Erin introduced the children to words and ideas such as safety vests, hard hats, blueprints, and foundations. Hearing these terms explained by people who use them every day helped make the vocabulary meaningful and concrete. The children also learned that construction gear serves an important purpose and it’s much more than a costume!
The children had the opportunity to ask questions, share their observations, and learn more about the work happening right outside our windows. I have a feeling their new knowledge will soon find its way into their play, inspiring new ideas and even more elaborate construction-themed dramatic play!
We’re excited to continue watching the construction project take shape, and to welcome more community members to Total Child to share their knowledge and experiences with our curious learners.
With squeaks and hugs,
Joy the Mouse 🐭
Joy the Total Child (Felt) Mouse
September 2, 2026
By Total Child
Once upon a time, at Total Child school, there lived a little white felt mouse with a very
big heart. Her name was Joy. Joy was curious. Joy was cautious. Joy walked very, very quietly.
Tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe!
She lived in the hallway behind the sofa at Total Child, but wished she had a home of her own.
Every morning, Joy peeked out from behind the sofa.
Peek, peek, peek!
She saw children painting. She saw children reading. She saw children laughing and singing!
Joy wished she could join the fun. But she was a very timid mouse, and timid mice are
sometimes scared that children don’t want to be their friend.
Hide, hide, hide!
At night, when the school was quiet, Joy came out to explore before the cleaners came.
She found tiny crumbs. “The children left me food!” Joy said.
Nibble, nibble, nibble.
She found felt and colorful yarn. She wove them together into walls.
“The teachers left me materials to make a house!”
Build, build, build!
Joy found a mini pencil and a piece of paper.
“The directors left me a way to leave a note!”
Scribble, scribble, scribble.
One morning, the children found a tiny picture on their table.
It was signed by Joy the mouse.
“Maybe it was from our very own magical school mouse!” they shouted.
From that day on, the children, teachers, and directors continued to leave tiny gifts for Joy —little crumbs, colorful felt, and bits of paper. And Joy felt happy and continued to leave little notes for the children, teachers, and directors.
Joy loved her home at Total Child, where everyone was welcome and found friends. And they all lived happily ever after.
Please read my blog for updates on what I have been doing and seeing from my special home in the school. Sometimes the kids may even help me write this!!
With squeaks and hugs,
Joy the Mouse 🐭