Meet Elizabeth Ballantyne, the New Canaan mom of two behind Stories, Songs, and Senses. Her parent-child classes are for toddlers up to age four, and they involve “digging into various sensory bins—rice, slime, gooey mud, finger paint, water play.” The groups always start with a story and songs/rhymes before the exploration begins. Learn more about Elizabeth and how she used her experience in early childhood education to launch the business.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have two kiddos. A 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son—both August babies!
What brought you and your family to New Canaan?
When pregnant with our oldest we were looking to move out of Manhattan. We settled in New Canaan on the recommendation of my sister—her primary point being that New Canaan is a town focused around young children and families. The Newcomers Club was another big draw as they have so much and such vast programing it made it easy to meet people in a new town. Plus, when we came to visit, we had brunch at Rosie’s and went to May Fair—pretty easy sell!
What’s your favorite aspect about being part of the community?
It is so wonderful to go to town events, or even just walking around, and run into people you know. It creates such a sense of belonging to form connections throughout your day. Especially with young kids, we end up chatting with people in shops or restaurants or even just on the street—people here want to be a part of a community and work to help create that community. People in this town make it easier to be a mom with young children—the shop owners are happy to have them in their store and engage with them, the restaurants are all so accommodating, and those you encounter on the street are happy to chat with my overly social 5-year-old! After moving to a new town where we really didn’t know anyone it has been so amazing to be welcomed into the community. It’s also a town filled with people wanting to give back to the community—myself included! It makes a special place when people are vested in creating a welcoming, charming town with plenty of activities and events for all.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
There are so many from which to choose! But our family favorite is to wander in the woods. Usually we head to the Nature Center and my 5-year-old leads us around the trails and we fill our bags with sticks, leaves, acorns, and whatever other treasures we happen upon! What do we do with all our treasures, you may ask. Well, a select few get painted or glued in the makings of art, some find their way into a sensory bin, most live out their lives in very *special* storage bins in the garage.
You have a Masters in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Can you please tell us a bit about your path to launching Stories, Songs, and Senses?
I have worked in early childhood education for 20 years, when my oldest was born and we moved out of Manhattan I took a pause on teaching. Last year I went to register my 2-year-old for a music class, but I was a bit late to registration and all the classes were filled. This led to a big search for other classes in the area we could try out. In parallel to this exploration I was starting to think about how I could dabble in teaching again without it taking away from my time with my kids. I came to the idea of teaching a child/parent class—it would be fun to create something, and my kids could join me in the class! It seemed a perfect solution. Last spring I began figuring out what the class would be—I didn’t want to duplicate any of the local offerings because those classes are amazing and do what they do so well! In talking with people and asking what they were looking for, I came up with the idea to do a sensory play class. Sensory play is the main path of learning for young children—they explore the world to learn. It’s really fun! But, often super messy, which can make it less appealing to do on your own. Thus, the idea was born, and I jumped right in with some pilot classes.
What is the story behind the name?
I wanted the name to reflect what we would be doing each class; plus, I really like alliteration! I try to build each class around a theme—more as a way to reign in my ideas than anything else. We start each class with a meeting time, we do a welcome song, read a book, and then do songs and rhymes all linked to the theme. The meeting time gives the kids a routine to expect each class. Sensory play can often be intimidating for kids—all the different textures and the child’s individual comfortability with them. The routine of meeting can help them to settle in, know what to expect, and for those kids who need more time to transition into a space it offers time for that to happen.
As a busy mama, is there something you do each day to support your own needs?
I’m a better person if I have a chance to exercise and have some alone time. With two young kids, a husband who works from home, running a house, and a business, me time is hard to come by! Most days I wake up before anyone in the house and sneak into our basement to get in some exercise—running, rowing, yoga, whatever crazy HIIT class Peloton throws at me—ha! While it is hard to get out of bed some mornings, I feel so much better and much more patience if I get this time.
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
To do what’s right for you and your family and tune out all the commentary. Whatever choice you make as a parent there is bound to be someone out there to tell you how you made the wrong choice, you can get lost in searching for the “right” way to do things. There is no one right way—there is what works best for your unique family and your lifestyle. Try things out and keep what fits and get rid of what doesn’t. And then, more specifically to young children, is that everything is a phase. You’ll work through whatever challenge is of the moment, get it somewhat sorted and then something new will crop up. This wasn’t meant in the vein of “there’s no end.” But more in the sense of, it’s temporary, even if it is an awful phase or you’re working through something so hard, it will end.
Do you have any advice for other moms considering entrepreneurship?
I’m so new to this I don’t know how much advice I have to give, but I’ll definitely take advice from others! I would say that it’s worth pursuing your goal/dream because it makes you happy and/or fulfilled. Certainly time is taken away from somewhere else in your life, but finding something that inspires you and gives you purpose makes you show up better in those other parts. Balance isn’t about splitting time up between your various roles, it’s about finding ways to be your best self in those roles and sometimes that means more time in one area than another.
How do you unwind when you need some “me time?”
True crime—ha! I am definitely the stereotype of the suburban mom all in on true crime. I love listening to podcasts or watching documentaries. I have no idea why it helps me find my chill, but it does.
Anything to add?
My class, Stories, Songs, and Senses is a child and parent class for toddlers (~12m-4yo). There is so much fun and exploration to be had digging into various sensory bins—rice, slime, gooey mud, Pinger paint, water play. We start with a story and songs/rhymes to come together as a group and settle into the space before we get out smocks on and get messy! Class runs weekly and I am at the New Canaan Library once a month. Registration for Winter Session will be at the end of November. Visit https://www.storiessongssenses.com/ and follow on Instagram to join current classes and to get winter registration information. Don’t miss out on all our messy fun!
We love supporting local businesses. Favorite places in town (or near town) to…
Have dinner: Chef Luis
Grab a drink: Uncorked
Have a date night: Graybarns
Spend time together as a family: New Canaan Nature Center
Shop for yourself/shop for your kids: Wandering the shops on Elm Street
Spa/salon: Luscious and Co.
Grab coffee: Farmer’s Grind Cafe in the New Canaan Library
Any hidden treasures or other favorites you want to share?
Grace Farms is magical! Their Saturday art program for littles is amazing.
To learn more, visit Stories, Songs, and Senses or follow Elizbeth on Instagram @storiessongsandsenses