Our Story
Written by Chris Stack, Owner of the Wonder Room
The Wonder Room was my dream for as long as I can remember.
In 1988 I started teaching in an elementary classroom, and I soon moved into a preschool program. I have worked in both private and public preschools as an Early Intervention Specialist for the NYS DOH Early Intervention Program, a Child Development Specialist for a local Head Start program, and as the Education Director at a local Children's Museum. I have also conducted workshops for other early childhood educators and daycare providers, as well as written 14 resource books for early childhood educators.
My love for creating spaces and activities that engage children in learning grew with my experience. I love watching children experiment with materials and observe the pride they express when they accomplish or learn something new. As I continued to keep in touch with the latest information in the educational field, I knew firsthand that you can always learn something new. This I knew was the message I wanted to instill in all of my students - a love of learning that is never outgrown.
When Lauren and I met in 2000, our two oldest boys were just 3 years old and attending preschool together. We had worked together on an elementary school playground committee and as colleagues at a local children's museum. We found our experiences and interests complemented each other, and realized our working relationship would make a strong teaching team. After much planning and construction, we started The Wonder Room together in February 2012.
We are both individuals who need to see it, feel it, and experience it to make it meaningful and therefore memorable. We believe that children need this, too.
The Wonder Room is what it states. It is a place where children can experience the wonderment of the world around them. A place that they will remember forever as they begin their creative journey into the world.
Our Space
What was once a small home is now a series of 4 interconnected rooms full of activities, supplies, toys, and materials that are interesting and engaging.
Sensory
The first room you see is full of different tables and sensory bins that invite children to experience their surroundings with their senses. Manipulating play dough, sorting small objects, completing puzzles, scooping and filling dry pasta, shaking discovery bottles, exploring the contents of the discovery tub, and getting a close view of natural objects are found in this space.
Creative Open Play
There are two dedicated rooms dedicated to imaginative, open, creative play. There is a flannel board, a variety of blocks for building, musical instruments, puppets, dramatic play elements and toys that allow children to make up stories, play scenarios, and make believe. Give your child the freedom to play with it all while you engage in their play or simply read some books to them.
Art Studio
Get busy in our creative art room where there are endless supplies, scraps, paint, accessories, recycled items and more to do art. Children can explore materials and medium, as well as various art supplies in their own way. When children discover the many forms of art by using their imagination to build different pieces, their minds explode with possibility and their eyes light up as they build confidence in what they create. Remember to share what you create! We love to see it all.
Outdoor Play Space
Your children can step outdoors with many constructive play opportunities in our fully fenced in outside play space. Find a rock garden, a large sandbox with a "mud" kitchen, two large easels, water tables, and a unique structure (which children can imagine to be a house, spaceship, boat with portholes, tent, clubhouse, ice cream shop, fairytale house....and more). We have balls and ramps for exploring engineering properties, and chalk for decorating our sidewalk. Picnic tables are available to sit and snack.
Our Teachers
Chris Stack
Owner, Education Director, Teacher
MS, Special Education
College of St. Rose, NYS Certified Teacher
I want to create an environment that inspires conversation among parents and children. We want to challenge visitors and encourage further exploration and ongoing learning.
Lauren Bigman Cohen
Creative Director, Teacher
MA, Secondary Social Studies
Teachers College, Columbia University
NYS T-TAP PD Specialist Early Childhood and School Age
Knowledge grows. When children have the time and space to explore and make discoveries about interesting objects and ideas, they incorporate new learning with old.