Home Indoor Fun Just Launched: From Wonder Creative Play Classes by Mimi O'ConnorJuly 5, 2017 Search more like this after schooltraveldiyearly childhoodscienceclassmanhattanplaystorytellingsummereveryday heroespopsicle stickssocializationkarate Advertisement Trending Now Food & Drink General Mills Is Bringing Back 4 Classic Sugar Cereals That Your Mom Never Let You Eat Viral & Trending Cat Sneaks into Family Car & Joins Their Road Trip, Becomes Instant Celebrity Viral & Trending Weatherman Discovers His Map Is a Touchscreen and His Reaction Is So Pure Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’ Celeb & Entertainment ‘Bluey’ Season 3 is Coming to Disney+ This Week! Advertisement Chess is awesome. Coding and karate rock. But if you’re in search of some open-ended, creative play for your kid to balance things out, consider the newly-launched From Wonder, where kids explore, experiment and create things truly wow-worthy while learning. Read on to get the scoop. photo: From WonderWhoa That’s CoolThat’s what we said when we saw some of the photos of final projects From Wonder has produced.Early childhood educator Nicole Nelson is the founder of From Wonder, and she describes its offerings, which include camps, after-school programs, workshops and even birthday parties as creative, immersive, themed classes for children.Nelson brings her 13 years of experience working with young children at a Manhattan private school to the venture, and is excited to bring her student-led, curiosity-based creative project approach to learning and play to kids citywide.Currently enrolling for mixed age summer sessions for kids ages four to six, From Wonder will expand its offerings to serve both kids older and younger in the near future. photo: From WonderWhat Happens at From WonderEach From Wonder class revolves around a theme; past themes have included under the sea, to adventures in outer space to food. Over a six-week period, participants explore the theme through multi-sensory projects, mixed media inventions, costuming, songs and storytelling, open play and more.The classes work to foster skill development (pre-literacy, socialization and language, fine and gross motor) encourage creative expression and curiosity, and emphasize process over product. Additionally, flexibility and experimentation are encouraged and “mistakes” are viewed as opportunities.Kids work on both individual projects (their unique take on a space suit or superhero identity) as well as group ones, such as an environment where their creations come to life.photo: From Wonder Reduce, Reuse, ReimagineFrom Wonder is big on DIY crafting, but things go beyond popsicle sticks and paper towel rolls. Kids plan, design and create impressive costumes from scratch, make 3D constructions and large-scale theatrical backdrops, all relating back to the theme. (Nelson herself has a passion for recycled, theatrical, crafting, as evidenced by her mind-blowing side project, Cloak and Blender, dedicated to marrying elaborate costumes and smoothies. Seriously: just check it out.)Beyond fabrication with common household materials and textiles, kids also delve into the science of a given theme, integrate writing and storytelling in journals or passports, and even explore a given topic through creative movement.photo: From WonderConnected to the Community Classes culminate in some sort of final presentation or gathering for enrolled families. Past events have included a gallery show with both visual art and listening stations, photo shoots, pot lucks, etc. All students receive a portfolio of their collected work at the conclusion of the class as well.Nelson sees community as a major part of the From Wonder experience, and plans on developing themes based on community interest and input. Additionally, she’s excited to collaborate with area makers, artists and subject experts and involve them in From Wonder curriculum. Have Wonder, Will Travel & The Nitty GrittyFrom Wonder will offer summer sessions and after school classes at the 18th Street and Sixth Avenue location of Giocare in Park Slope, but Nelson is also happy to travel to Manhattan and other boroughs, for families wishing to host a weekly From Wonder class or one-off workshop or event.Sessions this summer are “Everyday Heroes” (July 10 – August 14, Mondays, 1 – 3pm) and Adventures in Space! (July 12 – August 16, Wednesdays, 3 – 5 pm.) Classes are small, with 8 to 10 children, and cost $525 for six weeks, with all materials included.Online: fromwonder.comHow do you bring wonder to your child’s life? Tell us in the comments!— Mimi O’Connor Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this after schooltraveldiyearly childhoodscienceclassmanhattanplaystorytellingsummereveryday heroespopsicle stickssocializationkarate Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. We’ll pick one winner per month through August 31, 2022 – 5 lucky winners in all! email zip_code campaign_name Enter Now! I agree to the official rules and to receive email communications from Tinybeans. By providing my email address, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Accepting the use of cookies enables important site functionality including personalization and analytics. Accept Decline Create an account to save this content on Tinybeans Choose how you would like to sign up. Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google or Continue with Email By signing up, you agree to Tinybeans Terms of Service and acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Sign in to your Tinybeans account Don’t have any account? Create an account here. Forgot your password? Reset it here. Sign In or Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google Personalized recommendations Tinybeans uses personal information to share useful recommendations and ideas for your family. This may include your previous activity, family profile and your hometown. Tinybeans keeps your data safe and does not sell personal information to any third party. Learn more about your privacy and location choices. Close
Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’