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About Us
The Wonder Lab Team
Meet Nicole!
Founder of The Wonder Lab
Hi! I’m Nicole. Educator, homeschool mom of three, and the creator behind The Wonder Lab.
My passion for education began long before The Wonder Lab existed. I earned my Elementary Education degree from Westfield State University and spent five years as a public school educator. During my time in the classroom, I served on multiple leadership boards and loved creating meaningful, engaging learning experiences for children. Teaching has always been at the heart of who I am.
In January 2019, I left the classroom after becoming a mom. As I navigated early motherhood, I discovered a love for sensory play and began offering sensory play classes throughout parks across Connecticut. What started as simple messy play quickly grew into something much bigger — a community of families looking for creative, hands-on experiences outside of their homes.
Along the way, I realized just how much I missed educating and creating spaces where children could learn through play, exploration, and creativity.
Today, I am a homeschooling mom to three amazing children, and my family remains at the center of everything I do. If you visit the studio, chances are you’ll spot at least one of my children creating right alongside us.
In August 2024, our middle son was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a season that changed our family forever and nearly caused me to walk away from this dream completely. Instead, it strengthened my belief in the importance of joy, creativity, play, and community during difficult times.
In September 2024, I joined the team at Newington Parks and Recreation and began offering classes through their programs. Then, in October 2025, I stumbled upon the perfect space to finally call home — and The Wonder Lab was born.
Today, The Wonder Lab offers:
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Sensory play classes
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Process art experiences
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Homeschool enrichment classes
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Seasonal camps, workshops, and creative events
The Wonder Lab is more than a studio — it’s a space where children are encouraged to create, explore, imagine, and make a mess in the very best way.
Since becoming part of the childhood cancer community, giving back has become deeply important to our family. You’ll now find play dough kit donation opportunities on our website, helping provide creativity and joy to children diagnosed with cancer.
Thank you for being here and supporting this dream. We can’t wait to create with you. 💛
The Importance of Sensory Play
Sensory play is crucial for children's holistic development as it engages their senses—touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing—stimulating neural pathways and fostering cognitive growth. Through sensory exploration, kids learn about textures, shapes, and the properties of objects, aiding in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Moreover, sensory activities promote creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation by providing a safe space for experimentation and self-expression. Overall, sensory play lays the foundation for diverse learning experiences, facilitating not only cognitive but also social and emotional development in children.
