“This is my new favorite place in the whole world!” - a 5 year old friend to Creative Caps Studio
Lizzie McGuire’s “What Dreams are Made of” plays on repeat in my mind each day at the Studio as classes end. It plays in my mind when I hear parents and kids say how much they loved a class. Opening Creative Caps Studio feels like the culmination of so many amazing things in my life. I am so excited to have so many families from across the Roanoke Valley become a part of this dream.
This path started when I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Human Development focusing in family and child development, followed by a Masters' Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (Prek-6) from Virginia Tech. After college, I spent ten incredible years teaching elementary school. Then, my husband, Ryan, and I had our two children, Quinn (9) and Harrison (5). The original plan was to return to the classroom as soon as my maternity leave was over, but then I met our daughter. I felt strongly that I wanted, and needed, to be home with her, drastically changing the plan we had for our family!
Our children’s time as little ones is precious and fleeting, and I feel fortunate that I was able to spend the last nine years at home with both of our children. But while I was home, I desperately missed being in a classroom! As a teacher, my passion was reading instruction, helping children discover the magic that lies within the world of literature. When you give a person the love of books and reading, you have given them the world! The opportunities become endless! During my time as a stay-at-home mom, I found myself searching for places that would help me instill that love and excitement for reading, learning and creating. But, oftentimes, I struggled to find experiences like this! So, as I came up with activities for my children to do at home, I began dreaming of a place for parents and caregivers to take their children. Where adults and children can learn and grow together in fun and meaningful ways!
As Harrison began Kindergarten this fall, it felt like the perfect time for me to return to “school” as well! Only this time, school looks a little different for me! I now possess the amazing experiences I gained as a classroom teacher, a stay-at-home mom, and as a mother of a child with special needs. I designed a place that welcomes parents/caretakers and their kids at this critical time in their young lives! Creative Caps Studio is a learning studio that centers around literacy and art, knowing that children learn best when they are actively engaged in play and creative experiences. Each month we have a fun new theme like “Fairy Tales” or “The Great Outdoors”. Each week we read new and beautiful books that center around those themes! After our stories, we enter our creation room where we explore sensory stations, art, STEM projects and so much more, all connected to the books we have read! The fun is endless!
While the Studio’s focus is primarily on the students, there has also been a great deal of thought put into the parents and caregivers that would be bringing these amazing little ones to the Studio each week as well. Having been a stay-at-home mom for the last nine years, I know how very important it is for parents to make connections to other parents during this monumental stage of life. With that in mind, we have designed a space that is meant to feel open and inviting, where we hope you will linger and visit with your new friends. We are always looking for new, creative ways to support parents/caregivers.
October was an amazing first month in the Studio as we explored fairy tales! We visited the Giant’s castle in Jack and the Beanstalk, painted houses with the Three Little Pigs, built gingerbread houses after reading Hansel and Gretel. We will also have a special visit from Cinderella for Halloween story hours! November’s classes promise to be full of fun with our new theme of “The Great Outdoors!” We will put our camping skills to use, go on bear hunts and explore the beauty of nature through books and art!
The Studio is a unique place for parents and children and it is my hope that it will soon become an experience that you and your child look forward to visiting each week to make wonderful, lasting memories together.
To register for classes, please visit our website at creativecapsstudio.com
Thank you to Megan M. Clark Photography, Ashley Michelle Photography, and Beth Witt for sharing your amazing talents and taking beautiful pictures of the fun we have at the Studio!
