About Us
It all started...
As new parents we are overwhelmed by information, advice, suggestions and recommendations...all of us want what is best for our children. I have often supported friends and family with their little ones, and when I wrote and published our book I realized that I could extend that support to others too...so our website includes not only specifically selected toys, but milestones and ideas and activities as well. The feedback has been so positive that we have extended our small business to include services that focus on development, play and the very important relationship between parents and their bright wee sparks!
What I do...
I have been working with children and families in hospital settings for almost 15 years. I assessed children's development daily and used play as a tool for building relationships and helping children to understand their health care experiences. I have authored and published Growing Tiny Minds and am working away on my next project in conjunction with Craig Potton Publishing. We continue to develop Growing Tiny Minds online - and are so thrilled with the feedback that we have received that we are now developing hands on support services based in Christchurch. I work with parents and caregivers, as well as colleagues and professionals who work with children and young families. These days I play a lot at home too! My husband and I have four children, Emily (8), Madeline (6), Liam (4) and Fin (2) ... things can get a little busy ... but being a parent is incredibly rewarding.
Who we are...
I am fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive husband, Owen, who is very computer savvy. He and his company, Lean Systems, have developed our website and provide on demand tech support. I also have a fantastic friend, Tracey, who works with Decipher Design ... she is behind all of the wonderful design and illustration in Growing Tiny Minds. I also must make mention of my fabulously supportive friends and coffee group ... mum's supporting each other on a personal and professional level ... I would be lost without you all!
For my part, I graduated, some years ago, with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Child and Youth Studies. I am a Certified Child Life Specialist, a registered early childhood teacher, and a professionally Certified Hospital Play Specialist. I am also a certified educator for The Happiest Baby on the Block. I have worked in the hospital and community settings children and their families - and I am so excited with Growing Tiny Minds - both for what it celebrates and how it has been received.
Our aim ...
I have a strong belief in the value of play and participative parenting. I feel that Growing Tiny Minds offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to buy quality toys that appropriately support play and development; we add value to this through my expertise by providing ideas and activities to accompany each toy. By providing the milestones, ideas and activities and services we encourage the interactions and relationships with parents and caregivers that are so very important to early growth and development.
Growing Tiny Minds - Supporting you and your bright wee spark from the beginning.
Phone: +64 (21) 193-3663
Email: nicola@growingtinyminds.co.nz