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About Us
Get to know the passionate educator behind The Curiosity and Wonder Studio and our vision for creating magical learning experiences for children in Cleveland.
Our Vision
At The Curiosity and Wonder Studio, we envision a world where children's natural curiosity is nurtured and celebrated through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Our Mission
To create magical learning experiences that inspire wonder, foster creativity, and nurture a lifelong love of learning in children.
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We believe that every child is naturally curious and capable. Our mission is to provide an environment where this curiosity can flourish, where children feel empowered to explore, question, and discover the world around them.
Our Values
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Respect for the Child: We honor each child's unique pace, interests, and learning style.
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Wonder and Joy: We create experiences that spark delight and amazement.
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Connection to Nature: We foster a deep appreciation for the natural world.
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Creativity: We encourage self-expression and innovative thinking.
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Community: We build meaningful connections between children, families, and our broader community.
Nature
We believe in the power of connecting children with the natural world. Our studio incorporates natural materials and outdoor elements to foster a deep appreciation for nature's wonders.
Art
Art is a powerful language through which children express themselves. We provide rich, open-ended art experiences that encourage creativity, self-expression, and the development of fine motor skills.
Storytelling
Stories connect us to our humanity and to each other. Through storytelling, we nurture language development, cultural awareness, and the imagination of every child who enters our studio.
Our Educational Approach
The Curiosity and Wonder Studio's unique approach blends three powerful educational philosophies to create a rich learning environment for children.
Montessori
The Montessori approach respects each child's natural development and fosters independence through carefully prepared environments and self-directed activity.
Child-led learning
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Prepared environment
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Hands-on Materials
Reggio Emilia
The Reggio Emilia approach views children as capable researchers who express themselves through their "hundred languages" and learn through relationships with others.
Project Based Learning
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Documentation
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Environment as Teacher
Curiosity Approach
The Curiosity Approach draws inspiration from multiple philosophies to create magical learning spaces that spark wonder and encourage authentic play with natural materials.
Natural Materials
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Wonder and awe
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Authentic experiences
Inquiry-Based Learning
We honor children's natural curiosity by encouraging questions and investigations. Our approach focuses on the process of discovery rather than predetermined outcomes.
The Power of Questions
In our studio, questions are more valuable than answers. We encourage children to wonder, hypothesize, and investigate. Teachers act as co-researchers, asking open-ended questions that prompt deeper thinking rather than providing ready-made answers.
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This approach develops critical thinking skills, fosters a love of learning, and helps children see themselves as capable problem-solvers who can find their own answers through exploration and experimentation.
Process Over Product
We value the journey of learning more than the destination. In our studio, children are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, try again, and discover their own solutions. The focus is on the process of investigation rather than creating perfect end products.
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This approach builds resilience, creativity, and a growth mindset. Children learn that mistakes are valuable opportunities for learning and that there are often multiple ways to solve a problem.
Uniting Nature, Art, and Storytelling
At The Curiosity and Wonder Studio, we believe in the power of integration. By weaving together experiences with nature, opportunities for artistic expression, and the magic of storytelling, we create a holistic learning environment that addresses all aspects of a child's development.
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This integrated approach allows children to make meaningful connections between different areas of knowledge and experience, fostering deeper understanding and a more comprehensive worldview. It honors the way children naturally learn—through connections, relationships, and meaningful contexts.
What Make Us Different
The Curiosity and Wonder Studio is not a traditional preschool or daycare. We are a specialized educational studio offering unique learning experiences for children and families.
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Our approach combines the best elements of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and the Curiosity Approach to create a magical learning environment where children can explore, create, and discover at their own pace.
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As a studio experience rather than a full-time school, we're able to focus on creating extraordinary learning opportunities without the constraints of traditional educational settings. This allows us to be more responsive to children's interests and to create truly memorable experiences that ignite a lifelong love of learning.
Meet the Director
Tammy Kennedy is a dedicated Montessori educator with an impressive 27 years of experience working with children from infancy through 8th grade. Her journey in education has been guided by a deep passion for child-centered learning and a belief in the innate curiosity of every child.
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With a strong foundation in art, evidenced by her Art Degree, and multiple Montessori credentials, Tammy brings a unique perspective to early childhood education. Her extensive studies in both the Reggio Emilia approach and the Curiosity approach have shaped her educational philosophy.
Tammy is thrilled to bring her vision to life in Cleveland, Ohio through The Curiosity and Wonder Studio. This innovative studio experience thoughtfully blends the principles of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and the Curiosity approach to create magical learning opportunities for children.
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Her mission is to offer children meaningful hands-on and inquiry-based learning experiences in a carefully crafted environment that beautifully unites nature, art, and storytelling. Through this holistic approach, Tammy aims to nurture not just the minds, but the hearts and spirits of the children who participate in the studio's programs.
Educational Journey
Tammy's path to creating The Curiosity and Wonder Studio has been shaped by years of learning, teaching, and growing alongside children.
Art Education
Earned her Art Degree, laying the foundation for a creative approach to education that values self-expression and aesthetic awareness.
Montessori Training
Completed multiple Montessori certifications, embracing an educational philosophy that respects the child's natural psychological development and independence.
Reggio Emilia Studies
Studied the Reggio Emilia approach, which views children as capable and resilient individuals with rights rather than simply needs.
The Curiosity Approach
Embraced the Curiosity Approach, a modern educational philosophy that draws from Reggio, Steiner, and other approaches to create magical learning spaces for children.
Our Cleveland Home
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Cleveland, Ohio
The Curiosity and Wonder Studio is proud to call Cleveland, Ohio our home. This vibrant city, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse communities, provides the perfect backdrop for our educational mission.
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Cleveland's unique blend of urban energy and natural beauty aligns perfectly with our philosophy of connecting children to both the natural world and human creativity. From the shores of Lake Erie to the cultural institutions of University Circle, our city offers endless inspiration for young minds.
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As a studio experience, we're able to bring our unique learning approach to children throughout the Cleveland area, making quality early childhood education accessible to more families and communities.
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We're excited to be part of Cleveland's educational landscape and contribute to the city's future by nurturing its youngest citizens through our innovative approach to early learning.