Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Aston Bosworth.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always considered myself a baby person. At my full-time job as Family Programs Manager for the Alliance Theatre, my professional brand is #babiesaremybusiness, and most people know it. Since 2011, it’s been my job to consider the experience of attending our Theatre for the Very young productions from the perspective of very young humans and make sure everyone, regardless of age and ability, can participate and play.
I entered a graduate program at Georgia State in Creative and Innovative Education just so I could learn more about the development of children in our society, and how we can create more creative spaces for children to explore and grow. Flash forward to January 2018, and I’ve got a brand new baby in my arms. I’m exhausted. Excited, but exhausted. I don’t know what to do with this adorable crying potato all day while on maternity leave.
Sure he would eat and sleep a good portion of the day, but in his waking hours, I’d find myself going out of my mind wondering if he was learning enough, doing enough and if he even liked me. I searched the internet using every combination of the words “baby” “play” “arts” and “creativity” coming up short. Most ideas I came across were for mobile babies or felt really safe and obvious (a.k.a. no fun for me).
Putting my theatre training to good use, I started creating prompts with sensory objects to see how he would engage with them and be entertained. I thought there had to be other new moms out there feeling their brains ooze out of their skulls from boredom with the same ole, same ole, so I launched a blog and Instagram handle to share our creative adventures with the world.
We hope to show new moms not to be afraid to try something new, engage in museums and theaters, and encourage their baby’s creative expression.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, the biggest challenge has been keeping up a regular schedule of content online while juggling a full-time gig, grad school, and being a new parent. We do something creative each and every day, but it’s so hard to document and upload all of these experiences when I’m constantly running out the door from one thing to another. It’s not for lack of trying, but there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
I told myself early on to not stress myself out trying to push out blog posts all the time, but to at least have some sort of weekly presence on Instagram. I can always write those posts later. And thank god for Insta stories! They don’t have to look polished or perfect, so I’m able to push out a lot more activities through my stories.
Please tell us about Wiggle Wonder Wander.
Wiggle Wonder Wander is an online space that encourages caregivers to engage in creative play and the arts with their babies. I use this space to challenge the concept of “developmentally appropriate” activities and show caregivers very young children are capable of enjoying the same kinds of arts experiences as most young people and adults.
The first few years of life are the most crucial in our development, so why do we insist on only offering simple “baby” experiences? Babies and toddlers enjoy symphonic music, rock and roll, AND twinkle twinkle. Very young children connect to visual art AND picture books. Just because they are babies, doesn’t mean we have to dumb down their experiences so they “get it.”
That’s what I’m most proud of. When I see families make the decision to take their child to a play or museum, or create their own arts provocations at home because of something they saw I did with my son on my Instagram, my heart gets that gooey feeling, and I know I’ve done something right.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My birthday parties were always off the chain! My mother would create these fully immersive storylines in our backyard based on my favorite movies.
One year, I think it was my fourth birthday, she created the entire plot of The Wizard of Oz throughout our backyard. We had costumes. We traveled from place to place through the woods.
My uncle painted his whole body silver (with paint that was not washable!). Birthdays were always so special and full of wonder. It explains so much about me as an adult.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wigglewonderwander.com
- Email: wigglewonderwander@gmail.com
- Instagram: @wigglewonderwander
- Facebook: /wigglewonderwander
- Twitter: @wigglewonderwander
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
