1. What is the Wonder Studio?

The wonder studio is a play place for the youngest learners. Children (ages 18 mos. and up) will participate in a broad range of developmentally appropriate experiences. These experiences include a loving parent or caregiver who is dedicated to joining his/her child in discovery and exploration.The Wonder Studio classes provide children with experiences that are: multi-sensory, messy, process oriented, open-ended, and based on an inquiry based learning model.

2. “Why”? What does it mean?

Here is my blog posting with details!

3. Can we just “try out” one class instead of registering for a series?

Yes, we have times throughout the year when we offer “Drop-In” classes. For example, Saturday classes or a weekday drop-in. These are usually scheduled with a few weeks notice that you can see on our Social Media Pages or if you are on our Email list (which we recommend for getting information first.)

However, for our Season Sessions - we do not offer “Try Out” Classes first.

Fall Session - 12 weeks

Spring Session - 12 weeks

Spring or Summer Sessions - 4 to 6 week sessions

4. Why commit to a 12 week session (or 4-6 week in the summer)?

We believe that ALL children need repeated opportunities and exposure to experiences before mastery.

Wonder Studio is not a One and Done kind of place.

As a young child , back in KY circa 1980, my mother took me to my first swimming lesson. The “teacher” proceeded to literally throw me in the pool and it was expected I would “sink or swim”. As you can imagine, both my mother and myself were negatively impacted from this experience. So much so, my mom said I wouldn’t go in the water for 2 years following this. When I was 4, my mother found a teacher (these are my very first memories as a child), Mrs. Nip, who sat with me in the baby pool and each day we just practiced blowing bubbles. She never forced me to put my face in the water, she put her face in and blew bubbles and encouraged me to do the same. Eventually, this led to an All-American High School Water Polo Player and at 45 - an Open Water Swimmer. Life Long Learners - is what we are trying to create here.

After 15 years of operating Wonder Studio - I can tell you that children need time to develop their relationships with the structure - routine - materials - people of Wonder Studio.

Wonder Studio is all about Relationship!!

1. Relationship between the child and the materials offered.

2. Relationship between the child and his/her caregiver.

3. Relationship between the child and the teacher.

4. Relationship between child and “other”...other kids, other adults.

We want to give the child Time. And, we want to give the teachers and caregivers time to settle in to this new place.

We have noticed that making a commitment to come to Wonder Studio each week (barring absences) allows space for the child to have a bad day or a failure. There is not so much pressure to “get it right” the first time.

5. What should my child and I wear during class?

Class is messy!  I repeat class is Very Very messy (this is somewhat dependent on your child’s willingness and/or interest in sensory experiences, but be aware that another child will often give you a hug or a pat on the back with his/her paint covered hands!)!  I do not provide smocks and frankly I don’t believe in them!  Worrying about getting their clothes dirty greatly inhibits the creative process in children.  Generally speaking, smocks are uncomfortable and restrict children’s arm movements. 

Please, have your child (and yourself) wear something comfortable and that can be STAINED.  Bring extra clothes (for you both) to change into as well as a towel to help with clean up. 

Your stained paint covered shirts/pants can be your Wonder Studio uniform!! And Please go to the grocery store right after class, it’s a great marketing tool for me!! ;)

6. Why do we take pictures during class?

I take many pictures during the class time in order to document our experiences on the blog.

Documentation is a key resource for all of us (children included) to reflect upon our time at The Wonder Studio. 

“Documentation offers the protagonist a unique opportunity to listen again, see again, and therefore revisit the learning experience.”

“Documentation gives parents the parents the possibility to know not only what their child is doing, but also how and why, to see not only the products but also the processes.  In this way parents become aware of the meaning that the child gives to what he or she does, and the shared meanings that children have with other children.”

          “The Hundred Languages of Children , Edwards, Gandini, Forman”

**Please Email/Contact me if you do not wish me to share your child’s pictures on the blog or facebook.**

7. Will you leave Wonder Studio with the feeling you were "there" with the child or will you leave "Wondering" where did the time go?

Quiet yourself, quiet your mind, let go of expectations.
Be there for your child.
Don't judge him or her for one hour.
Look with new eyes.
And see who they are..

Find the time to give your children that hour.
You will never be sorry you did.

8. Policies and Make Up Classes

1.  Absolutely no refunds will be made for withdrawal after the first class.
2.  50% of tuition will be refunded for withdrawal after registration, prior to first class.
3.  If you miss one of your regular scheduled days, please email to arrange a make up day/time during your 12 week session (6 weeks during Summer). The teacher is not responsible for arranging a make up day for you. If you cannot attend a regular scheduled class (during your current session) to make up your missed class(es), there will NOT be a refund or credit given towards future sessions.
4.  Worrying about keeping clothes clean inhibits the creative process.  You and your child should be dressed in clothes that can handle paint and glue.  I do not provide smocks or encourage the use of them.
5. Due to the nature of our program and the size of our toddler classes, we ask that only one adult accompanies your child during class, unless previously discussed with teacher.
6.  No cell phones/blackberries (unless discussed with teacher) and hot beverages are not permitted in class.
7. If the teacher cancels a class due to her own illness or emergency situation...a make up class will be offered.