The Story Behind Darling Doodle
Growing up, I was that child who couldn't resist the allure of wet paint and the sparkle of glitter. My mother would often laugh and say, "Save that for your grandma's house" whenever I received a new art kit or glitter tube. Little did I know that those creative sessions at my grandmother's house would plant the seeds for what would become Darling Doodle.
I'm Lauren Kim, a second-grade teacher in Los Altos, and my journey in education has been intertwined with art from the very beginning. Through my experiences as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, I discovered the profound impact of creative learning on young minds. My classroom mantra was simple but telling: "We make big messes, and then we clean them up..." There was something magical about setting up invitations to create and watching children's eyes light up at the possibility of unrestricted artistic expression.
My path led me to Teachers College at Columbia, where I had the privilege of teaching other educators. While working with "tall humans" was rewarding, my heart always pulled me back to the wonderful world of tiny humans and process art. There's something uniquely special about witnessing a child's uninhibited creativity flourish.
The name "Darling Doodle" holds a special place in my heart. "Doodle" was my childhood nickname, making this venture feel like a beautiful full-circle moment. It represents not just my personal journey, but my vision for creating a space where children can experience the same joy and freedom in creation that I found at my grandmother's house – minus the stress that often holds parents back from embracing artistic exploration at home.
In my years of teaching, I've learned that creative expression is more than just an activity – it's a fundamental part of childhood development. Every splatter of paint, every sparkle of glitter, and every proud smile after completing a project tells a story of growth, confidence, and joy.
At Darling Doodle, we believe in embracing the creative process – mess and all! Parents, you can breathe easy knowing that while we'll absolutely dive into gloriously messy creative adventures, we'll handle all the cleanup. Your role? Simply watch your tiny humans flourish and maybe even join in the fun yourself!
They say dreamers are many, but doers are few. Darling Doodle is my dream transformed into action – a space where both tiny humans and their tall companions can rediscover the joy of making, doing, playing, and creating. Let's do this!
Welcome to Darling Doodle, where we inspire tiny humans and the tall to tap into the magic of creation together!
