ABOUT
Cathy Belgrave B.A., B.Ed.
Founder
Compassion ~ Play ~ Growth ~ Learning. It all comes down to relationship and connectedness. When children, teens, and adults feel seen, heard and valued, they are able to open the pathways for learning. This is the foundation for all the services I offer.
After working with children for over 25 years, as a teacher, parent, Child Life Therapist, I decided to branch out and offer services on my own. In 2017, I started Creative Studio for Children, integrating my love of literacy, art, nature and inquiry with my belief learning happens best in an atmosphere of exploration and discovery. For me, building skills, ease, laughter and a willingness to express oneself are indicators of a successful program!
I have a background in developmental psychology, kinesiology and elementary school education. When I received my ECE training, I became a huge advocate of play-based learning. During my various trainings, I pondered questions such as: What is our image of the child? What role does the child play in our society? How do we honour their role in our communities? How can we shape curriculum to meet their needs? Being a parent has also given me hands on experience with child development, relationships and the process of learning. All of this has blended together to create a belief that:
Education offers opportunities for children to understand themselves, their passions, discovering the variety of ways they can express themselves and be in the world authentically.
We are all born with extraordinary powers of imagination, intelligence, feelings, intuition, spirituality, and of physical and sensory awareness. Ken Robinson, Ph.D.
cre.a.tive ~ from the Latin, crescere, meaning to grow
stu.d.io ~ a workspace to experiment and gain deeper understanding; to study with zeal
Creative Studio for Children is a place to explore, experiment and grow. Whether it's a teen learning how to write an essay, a preschooler learning how to share, or a teacher gaining new perspectives on curriculum, all services offered respect the process of learning ~ each stage of learning is valid, and is a stepping stone to the next stage.
Teacher Workshops ~ Develop new perspectives that support the unique needs of your classroom, team, organization.
Tutoring ~ a safe space of validation where teens can develop their written communication, presentation skills, and confidence.
Children's Programs ~ preschool and school age programs that help children grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, giving them skills that help them navigate the larger school classroom.
Education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living ~ John Dewey