Nixa’s Early Learning Center held its Fairytale Night on Thursday, March 13. Fairytale Night is an open house event for students and their families. Students go through every classroom in the building and participate in several themed 10-minute activities. 

   Houston’s “Wizard of Oz”–themed room had multiple activities surrounding motor sensory and education.  

   “They’re always so hectic and crazy, but it is so good to see the families come in and engage with each other,” said Early Childhood Special Education teacher Kelsey Houston.

    Several hours of preparation go into the fairytale night in the days leading up to it. Teachers spend 3-5 hours preparing the night of the event, and the event itself lasts around two hours. Some teachers spend up to two weeks decorating and preparing their classrooms. 

   This year, there were many different themes, ranging from “The Three Little Pigs” to “Alice in Wonderland”.

   “I liked to feed the pigs because I like feeding little pigs,” said 5-year-old Lyllah Taylor. 

   Students often dress up as their favorite characters from movies and fairy tales. 

   “[I am] a witch,” said 3-year-old Milly Dougherty. 

   In the days before the event, lessons for classes are often based on the room’s fairytale. They may watch a movie adaptation of the story or read the book as a class. There were also crafts and activities done in class to get students excited for the event. Students are often very anxious for the night to arrive.  Fairytale Night began in 2017 and will likely continue for many years. 

   “I feel like it gets better every year,” said Houston.