Wonder Through the Mess™
Big Wonder 💗 Messy Moments 💛 Brain Science 🩵 Human Connection 💜
Reigniting Joy & Inspiring Wonder in the Grown-Ups Who Shape Early Childhood
Serious About the Science. Playful About the Learning.
Engaging keynotes, hands-on professional development, parent education, and reflective coaching that help adults understand child development, look beyond behavior, and turn child development science and everyday challenges into growth opportunities and meaningful, joyful, real-world practice.
Because children learn best through play… and so do adults! 💜
I help educators, caregivers, and leaders look beyond behavior, embrace curiosity, strengthen relationships, find the FUN, and discover practical, research-informed ways to support young children's learning, emotional development, and well-being.
Because learning isn't always neat. Relationships aren't always easy. And growth rarely follows a perfect plan.
But wonder lives in all of it.
New Name. Same Heart. Bigger Wonder.
What began in 2012 as Once Upon Some Messy Fun, LLC has grown into Wonder Through the Mess™, a name that better reflects the heart of the work and expanding reach.
At first, the mess was often literal: sensory bins, process art, playful exploration, and the joyful chaos of learning through experience. But over the years, I've come to recognize that the most meaningful messes aren't always the ones we can see. They're the big feelings, challenging behaviors, difficult conversations, unexpected changes, complicated relationships, and everyday uncertainties that come with raising, teaching, supporting, and caring for human beings.
And that's where the work has grown.
Today, Wonder Through the Mess™ brings together developmental science, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practice, reflective coaching, and the power of play to help adults navigate those moments with greater curiosity, confidence, compassion, connection, and JOY.
We're not leaving the play behind. We're making room for even more wonder.
Serious About Science. Wild About Wonder.
Whether we're exploring the developing brain, rethinking behavior, strengthening family partnerships, supporting educators through burnout, or rediscovering the power of laughter, our approach is grounded in one simple belief: All behavior is communication. When we stop asking only, "How do we stop this behavior?" and start wondering, "What is this behavior telling us?" we open the door to understanding, connection, and meaningful change.
Our learning experiences are interactive, engaging, reflective, and full of opportunities to laugh, move, explore, and connect.
Let's Keep Wondering Together.
The science matters. The joy matters. The connections and relationships matter. And sometimes, the wondering is where the magic happens. 💜
Wonder Through the Mess™ | A DBA of Once Upon Some Messy Fun, LLC
What I Offer
Keynotes, Conference Sessions, Webinars and Training Series
Warm, practical keynote experiences for the people who care for children. Blending reflective practice, social-emotional development, sensory-rich learning, and real-world tools into uplifting sessions that help caregivers, educators, and leaders stay connected to the heart of their work.
Professional Development for Early Childhood Staff
Interactive, evidence-informed trainings that connect child development, social-emotional learning, sensory experiences, and behavior—designed for real classrooms and real kids.Parent & Caregiver Workshops
Practical, supportive sessions that help families understand emotions, behavior, and development while offering hands-on tools they can use immediately at home.Birthday Parties & Special Events
Hands-On, Play-Based Learning Experiences: Sensory-rich activities that support regulation, connection, curiosity, and learning — literacy, music, movement and crafts without perfection, pressure, or stress.
Because learning sticks best when it’s experienced, emotions are understood, and a little mess is not only allowed—it’s encouraged.
I create hands-on, engaging learning experiences for adults that support children’s social-emotional growth, strengthen understanding of behavior and bring joy back to learning. Through professional development for early childhood educators and interactive workshops for parents and caregivers, I blend social emotional learning, sensory play, art, science, literacy, and laughter to make learning meaningful, practical, and wonderfully messy.
Rooted in the belief that all behavior is communication, my workshops help adults better understand why children do what they do—and how to respond with connection, confidence, empathy, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
Services Offered
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Insightful Support
Building Knowledge. Strengthening Relationships. Inspiring Wonder.
When the grown-ups feel supported, informed, and confident, children and families benefit. Through engaging, research-informed learning experiences, I help educators, caregivers, and leaders turn child development science into practical strategies that work in real classrooms, homes, and communities.
🎨 Professional Development Workshops
Real Learning. Real Strategies. A Little S.I.L.L.Y.™
Professional development shouldn't mean sitting through another slideshow! My interactive workshops bring child development, brain science, sensory exploration, social-emotional learning, and play to life through hands-on experiences, meaningful reflection, and plenty of laughter.
Grounded in my S.I.L.L.Y.™ framework (Science • Inquiry • Laughter • Learning • You), sessions combine research with curiosity, humor, and meaningful human connection. Because learning should be engaging, relevant, and enjoyable for the grown-ups, too!
Participants leave with fresh perspectives, practical tools, and strategies they can actually use the next day.
Because children learn best through play, and adults do, too!
💜 Parent Workshops
Supporting Parents Through the Wonder, Worries & Messy Moments
Parenting doesn't come with a script, and every child brings their own personality, needs, and developmental journey.
My welcoming, judgment-free workshops help parents and caregivers better understand their children's development, navigate big feelings and challenging behaviors, strengthen relationships, and discover the power of everyday moments.
No fancy toys, perfect routines, or parenting perfection required. Just connection, curiosity, and practical ideas that fit real family life.
🌱 Leadership Training
Supporting the People Who Support Everyone Else
Strong early childhood programs need more than policies, procedures, and checklists. They need leaders who understand people, relationships, and the realities of working with young children.
Through interactive training and reflective conversations, I help directors, supervisors, and program leaders strengthen communication, support staff well-being, navigate difficult conversations, and build positive, responsive workplace cultures.
Because when leaders feel supported, they're better equipped to support their teams, and that support reaches the children and families they serve.
🧸 Infant & Toddler Development
Milestones Matter. Observation Matters. Early Intervention Matters.
The first three years are filled with extraordinary brain growth, rapid development, and countless opportunities for connection and learning. The adults caring for infants and toddlers play a critical role in recognizing and supporting that development.
But knowing how to care for young children isn't the same as understanding how they grow.
My infant and toddler training helps educators and caregivers understand developmental milestones, recognize individual and cultural differences, observe and document emerging skills, and identify when a child may benefit from additional support.
When staff understand what to look for, developmental concerns are less likely to be overlooked, and opportunities for Early Intervention are less likely to be missed.
Through real-life examples, hands-on learning, and practical observation strategies, participants gain confidence in tracking development, communicating concerns with families, and supporting timely referrals when appropriate.
Because Early Intervention isn't about labeling children. It's about recognizing opportunities to provide support when it can make a meaningful difference.
A referral is not a label. It's an invitation to learn more.
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Reflective Perspectives
Fresh Ideas. Meaningful Connections. Real-World Strategies.
Sometimes a fresh perspective is all it takes to spark new ideas, rethink old approaches, and rediscover the joy in the work we do. Through engaging presentations, reflective coaching, and practical consultation, I help early childhood professionals and programs connect what we know about child development with what happens in real life.
🎤 Keynotes, Conferences & Professional Development
Inspiring the Grown-Ups Behind the Magic
From conference keynotes and panel discussions to interactive workshops and professional development sessions, I bring brain science, real-life experiences, humor, and hands-on learning together.
Whether we're exploring big feelings, challenging behaviors, preventing burnout, or the serious science behind being S.I.L.L.Y., my goal is to help participants leave feeling energized, connected, and ready to try something new.
Because sometimes we all need a reminder to Be the Spark, Not the Script!
🌱 Reflective Coaching & Program Support
Helping Teams Reflect, Regroup & Grow
Supporting young children starts with supporting the adults who care for them. My coaching services offer a collaborative, judgment-free space for educators and program leaders to reflect on what's working, explore challenges, and find practical ways forward.
Services may include classroom observations, reflective feedback, team coaching, and conversations with program leadership before and after visits.
The goal isn't perfection. It's stronger relationships, more confident educators, and healthier, more connected teams.
🧩 Curriculum Review & Consultation
Making Sure Your Curriculum Works for Your Children, Families & Educators
Is your curriculum meeting the needs of the children and families you serve? Does it support developmentally appropriate practice across age groups, learning styles, abilities, and developmental stages?
Together, we'll take a closer look at what's working, where there may be gaps, and how your curriculum connects to child development, meaningful play, relationships, and everyday classroom experiences.
Whether you're considering a new curriculum or making the most of what you already use, I'll help you identify practical adjustments that make sense for your program, your educators, and the children in your care.
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Community Connections & Creative Collaborations
Stronger Together. Greater Impact. More Possibilities.
Some of the most meaningful work happens when people, programs, and communities come together with a shared purpose.
I believe collaboration creates opportunities that no single person or organization can accomplish alone. Whether it's developing a grant proposal, connecting community partners, supporting an outreach event, or bringing a little wonder to a special celebration, I love helping good ideas grow into meaningful experiences.
📝 Grant Writing | Editing | Reading
Turning Good Ideas Into Opportunities
Great programs need resources, and strong proposals help bring those resources within reach.
I offer grant writing, proposal review, editing, and grant-reading services to help organizations communicate their goals, demonstrate community needs, and strengthen their funding applications.
From developing a new proposal to providing a fresh set of eyes on an existing one, I bring experience in early childhood programming, family support, community partnerships, and grant review to the process.
🤝 Collaborative Partnership Building
Connecting People, Programs & Possibilities
The strongest partnerships begin with shared goals, mutual respect, and a willingness to work together.
I help organizations explore opportunities for collaboration, connect with community resources, and develop relationships that strengthen services for young children, families, and the professionals who support them.
Sometimes the best solutions begin with a simple conversation and the right people around the table.
💛 Community Outreach | Fundraising Event Support
Bringing People Together for a Purpose
Community events are about more than gathering people. They're opportunities to build relationships, share resources, raise awareness, and create a sense of belonging.
I collaborate with organizations to support family engagement events, community outreach initiatives, fundraising activities, and interactive learning experiences.
Whether it's helping brainstorm ideas, facilitating hands-on activities, connecting community resources, or supporting an event's educational components, I bring creativity, enthusiasm, and a focus on meaningful engagement.
🎉 Private Parties & Special Events
A Little Wonder. A Lot of Fun.
Who says learning and celebration have to be separate?
From sensory-rich play experiences to interactive activities for young children and families, I bring hands-on exploration, creativity, and a little messy fun to private parties, family gatherings, and special events.
Experiences can be tailored to the ages, interests, and needs of participants, with an emphasis on curiosity, connection, and joyful learning.
Because sometimes the best memories are the messy ones!
🌎 Proud to Partner, Connect & Collaborate
Good Things Happen When We Work Together.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working alongside school districts, Regional Offices of Education (ROEs), county health departments, early childhood organizations, family support programs, community agencies, and local and national partners.
These collaborations have included professional development, parent education, community outreach, conference presentations, family engagement, and initiatives supporting the healthy development of young children.
From neighborhood organizations to statewide and national initiatives, every partnership brings new perspectives, shared learning, and opportunities to make a difference.
I believe we accomplish more when we share our knowledge, combine our strengths, and work toward common goals.
I'm always open to exploring new partnerships, creative collaborations, and opportunities to support children, families, educators, and communities.
Have an idea? Let's connect and see what we can make happen!
[Explore My Partners & Clients → Under the Reviews tab]
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More About
Once Upon Some Messy Fun
We bring the joy of hands-on learning to children and the adults who nurture them through sensory, art, science, and literacy experiences.
We offer professional development for educators, parent workshops, and community engagement events that blend play with purposeful learning.
Each session is designed to support creativity, development, and social-emotional growth. Our mission is to make learning meaningful, memorable, and, most of all, fun!

