Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Lipan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Wonder Studio is a small business I started in 2009.
As an early childhood educator and a new mom, I desired a time and a place for my daughter and me to explore, play, and learn Together. She and I had visited other Parent/Child programs in our area and it felt like all of these places were made for kids to sit, listen, and follow the instructions of teachers. Not a place where my daughter could have opportunities to be creative, follow her own interests, and be independent but with her peers.
For example, on a visit to one of these local programs, a teacher gave my daughter (as well as the entire group) step-by-step instructions for an Arts and crafts project. I whispered into my daughter’s ear, “You can glue the googly eyes anywhere you want”, but then the teacher came around and pointed and told her, “here… put the eyes here.”
For me, this felt like the teacher’s project, not my daughter’s. I was so curious about the ideas my daughter had and what she would pursue if given materials and encouraged to do as she liked with them. At home, she made a sculpture completely out of Googly eyes… 1000’s of google eyes. I thought her ideas were beautiful, and I wanted her to learn to follow her own passions/interests. But, it was more than that… It was about trust and respect for young children.
While, in school at UF, getting my Master’s in Early Childhood Education, I was introduced to the philosophy of Child-led learning, as well as Adults co-learning alongside children. As teachers/adults get down on the level of the young child and pay attention to being with children, not directing their play, but observing, and seeing in what ways the teacher can “Spark” or “provoke” the child in order to learn “ what did they need”? What materials, conversations, or “pointing” would help the child to be in the “flow” or “zone of proximal development”?
Having researched the pre-primary schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy for many years…
An ancient Roman road runs through the center of Reggio Emilia, a small city in northern Italy. The municipal preschools and infant-toddler centers in this formerly little-known city have created a phenomenon that continues to amaze the early childhood community worldwide. One of its preschools, the Diana School, was named the best preschool in the world by Newsweek magazine in 1991.
Several times a year, hundreds of eager educators and administrators journey to this now affluent city to immerse themselves in its culture and to witness firsthand its innovative city-run preschool and infant-toddler centers.
Reference: https://bingschool.stanford.edu/news/reggio-emilia-study-tour
I longed for a place where my then 2-year-old daughter and I could visit together that would expose her to the “100 languages of children”.
Thus began my starting up and leading a community of like-minded mothers, fathers, and caregivers who wanted to accompany their children on a journey together in Wonder and Joy.
The Wonder Studio, named for the environmentalist Rachel Carson and her beautiful book, The Sense of Wonder…is an art and science studio for young children and the caregivers who love them.
My daughter (and now I have a son as well) was the most inspiring person I had ever met. I wanted to learn all I could about her and who she was. What will she think about painting and color mixing?
How will she interact with the other children?
Is she interested in live creatures?
With an understanding of my favorite educational theorists, psychologists, and philosophers…I designed a unique program that would allow both the child and the caregiver to learn about themselves and others in a safe, caring, and creative “Studio” environment.
Studio spaces are designed for mess-making. I have believed for many years now that learning is a messy process. I believe that children need to use “more” materials before they can learn the benefits of using “less”. At The Wonder Studio, we are paying close attention to the ways children are motivated to use materials. We believe in the social and cognitive learning that happens when children are in a group setting with other children and adults with different learning styles.
Every element of The Wonder Studio is designed so that the child can be independent in his/her exploration and/or use in collaboration with an experienced co-wonderer.
Wonder Studio has now been in business for 13 years. After, many years of hearing Adult caregivers ask, “What about a Wonder Studio for Adults?” I have spent the last 2 years back in school working towards my Certification in Expressive Arts Facilitation.
Now, In addition to our many Parent/Caregiver/Child classes, I also facilitate monthly classes for Adults to gather together in a safe space and be inspired to explore ways of expressing oneself through various art techniques such as Meditation, Poetry, Creative Writing, Painting, Sculpting, Witnessing, Improvisation, etc… These classes are like yoga classes for the creative mind/body/spirit.
Now, parents and non-parents too can have a time/space to learn about themselves, create art, learn about the benefits of self-expression, and be with others who are on a similar journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
For me, the biggest challenge in owning a small business is finding the balance between work/self/home. When I first began Wonder Studio…my daughter was 2. Most of the Creative time/admin took place while she was napping. Thank goodness, she took long naps! I found that I had to be really careful with my time and work efficiently.
I had to move away from the mindset that you need lots of uninterrupted, long hours to be creative and worked on being a procrastinator creative. Meaning… take all the practical steps I needed to make and then trust that the creative part of running a “creative” studio would happen when I needed it to.
It did!! With a lot of research, study, and dreaming… I formulated a curriculum that still works 13 years later.
The other main challenge at Wonder Studio is working with both parents (caregivers) and children. And, not seeing parents/children as empty vessels to be filled with what I think is important but instead empowering them to be curious, observe, and see what is already there within your child (and themselves) that is meaningful and beautiful.
Distractions like mobile devices (which are discouraged at Wonder Studio) keep caregivers from being present and seeing how “strong” their children are and that this is a great opportunity to “Show Up” for your little one, show them you think their ideas/feelings/experiences are valid and important to you. It’s an hour in the day that they (and you) will feel connected to a group that sees Wonder and awe in the ordinary moments of our lives.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Wonder Studio Mission: To offer empowering educational experiences that provoke curiosity, wonder, and creative expression for children, families, individuals, groups, and communities who desire hands-on tools for well-being, joyful connection with self and others, and access to a creative community support system for diverse peoples of all ages.
Core values: Freedom, Connection, Creativity, Curiosity
Vision: The Wonder Studio inspires folks to live a creative and mindful life.
Shannon Booth Lipan, B.A.E, M.Ed, Expressive Arts Facilitator, Owner, Director, Curriculum Designer, Lead Teacher of The Wonder Studio. Wonder Studio offers:
Classes (group and 1-1 private)
Workshops
Pop-Up studios
Consulting
Gatherings
Events
Current and Past Projects: Loving Caregiver + Child (18 mos. and Up), Sensory Based, Child-Led, Open-ended immersive Arts and active Sciencing experiences.
1-1 and Group Expressive Arts Facilitation for children and Adults who value the well-being benefits of living a creative life and who desire expressive resources for Imagination, and happiness, as well as coping mechanisms and practices for resilience and for adversity.
Touch Drawing Facilitation Groups
Mother Tween/Teen Daughter Expressive Arts classes
Creative Mornings Speaker
Shannon Lipan: Outside the Lines
Refugee parent/child support through Pop Up Arts/Science Studios
Refugee Expressive Arts Opening circles for Sewing circles
Intuitive Art facilitation for Adults with Memory Loss (Memory Mondays at Great Ex)
Homeless Shelter Family Support through Art/Science Pop-Ups
Leading Service groups in Mindfulness experiences
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When first starting my business, I had wonderful mentors. My first mentor, Carol Moyle, was someone who had been teaching and mothering for about 30 years of experience… she was retired at the point where I was opening my business, but that was so great as she had some extra time to meet with me, have lunch, offer a listening ear and offer advice. Retirees are so valuable to our community and make wonderful mentors!
My business operated at the private school I had previously taught at, Shorecrest Preparatory School. I already had a great relationship with the school and they were open to a mutually beneficial partnership… having my Wonder Studio classes on their campus, would bring people on campus and develop familiarity as well as comfort and perhaps feel inclined to send their children to the school.
The headmaster at the school (2004 – 2020), Mike Murphy, met with me each semester and offered his feedback on ways I might want to consider growing my business. These were informal conversational meetings where I felt guided to reach beyond what I thought I might be capable of.
And, I also had an online community – a group of Educators that were also passionate about the Reggio approach to education. We had a group chat where we could pose questions and feedback was offered. I found it to be incredibly helpful as well as stimulating.
Pricing:
- $400/ 12 weeks of Wonder Studio Caregiver/Child classes 18mos. and Up.
- $45/Expressive Arts Adult Classes held monthly.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thewonderstudio.blogspot.com
- Instagram: @thewonderstudio
- Facebook: @TheWonderStudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyJZoSxahHgpYboSCw3GGMQ
