vision
The Children’s Imagination Academy is a
heart-centered sanctuary space for
discovering the inner world…
Where Children discover how
COOL / CALM / COLLECTED / CREATIVE / COMPASSIONATE / CAPABLE / CONFIDENT / COURAGEOUS they really are.
A SCREEN-FREE, DREAM-FILLED SPACE.
The Children’s Imagination Academy (CiA)
is a wellbeing & creativity sanctuary space for 6-12 year olds
OUR MISSION is to nuture and empower Children in their most vital developmental years with in a deep sense of their uniqueness, worldly belonging, self-care
and peace about who they are.
OUR FOCUS
IMAGINATION & CREATIVE THINKING
ARTS, CRAFTS, CONSTRUCTION
WELLBEING PRACTICES
incl. Yoga, Creative Movement and MindfulnessSELF-EXPRESSION SKILLS
SOCIAL - EMOTIONAL LEARNING
INDIVIDUAL & COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
GROUP DISCUSSION
ECO-GUARDIANSHIP
FRIENDSHIP & CONNECTION
JOY, PEACE & NEXT LEVEL FUN
A SAFE SPACE TO BE YOU!
All Workshops & Programmes respect Children’s interests and curiosities.
Our Leaders/ Guides are honoured to hold space for every being that walks through the door and ensure we give our best support.
We welcome community to share skills and talents, drop us a line!
THE CiA
THE FOUNDER
Lou’s pioneering path began in Melbourne, working as a Primary Teacher Aide, where she experienced first-hand how many children were struggling at school— emotionally, mentally, socially - and observed there was little curriculum space for wellbeing education, free expression or knowing thyself. Shortly after, she was appointed as the Director of the Organ Factory Kid’s Club, which soon became a thriving after-school hive of 80+ creative kids.
From there, urged by the need to create change for All Kid Kind and curious to forge the link between arts and mind-body health, Lou took action.
mover / shaker
In 2008, Lou launched her own unique venture: Solar Rewind – Wellbeing Workshops for Kids of the Milky Way, presented by her cosmic alter ego, the supernatural and whimsical Siouxie Solar ( imagine a cosmic Mary Poppins-meets-Tinkerbell ) leading creative workshops with a beam shining on self-care.
As Lou’s passion for bridging wellbeing with creativity for our young grew stronger, she trained as a kids’ yoga teacher and in 2010 developed Imagination Yoga, followed by Imagination Dance (Creative Dance) in 2015.
.
DREAMER / MAKER
In 2016, in response to reported rising levels of anxiety and depression in children — particularly after the Christchurch earthquakes — Lou founded the Children’s Imagination Academy (CiA). The CiA is a heart-led learning space designed to nurture children’s inner spark, champion their unique creativity, and support their emotional wellbeing through holistic education. Lou also worked for 7 years as a Drama Teacher, under the direction of Mike Friend at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, and created original plays with the kids.
Lou’s professional training includes:
Psychology BA (University of Otago)
Diploma of Shiatsu & Oriental Therapeutics (ASC)
Dietary Therapeutic/ Five Elements (ASC)
Diploma of Children & Community Programme Management
NZ Youth Mentorship
Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher - International Cert.
Meditation / Qi Gong
Creative Dance Training (Over the Moon Studios)
Body Aware Movement (Helen Beresford Private Training)
Drama Teaching & Performing Arts Facilitation (Lyttelton Arts Factory)
Classical Voice (Lucio Coceani, Margaret Orr, Sole Academy)
Safeguarding and Protecting Children (Tiakina Nga Tamariki)
Living Values Education Facilitator (Commenced 2026)
First Aid Cert.
Lou believes that it is vital for children to know, that like a star, we can be multi-dimensional and whole, at the same time. We can feel purposeful and happy with a simple, meaningful life. Everyone is extraordinary in their own unique way. Like a jigsaw, together, we have a part to play .Let’s find out more about the true you!
Join Lou and the crew in creating change and paving the way for this new generation of highly intelligent , capable and sensitive young humans to be their own kind of star.
