Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Prost.
Hi Mallory, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After the birth of my daughter in 2018, I decided to apply for a one-year leave through the school district I taught for. It was a hard decision, but I was burnt out from teaching and wanted to spend more time with my kids. The Board thankfully permitted me, and as the 2019-2020 school year began, I stayed home with my two children. Now that I wasn’t teaching, I had more energy and time and started doing all those art projects I’d saved on Pinterest with them. In February 2020, I found out I was pregnant with twins, which solidified my “stay-at-home parent” role for the foreseeable future. Then two weeks later, Covid hit, and the world shut down. I was 12 weeks pregnant with twins, a 4-year-old and an 18-month-old. I did what everyone was doing and tried to entertain them.
Time after time, I’d set up different activities, and they’d play with them for a bit and move on. When I discovered sensory bins, they changed our world. They would sit and play for an hour, whether together or in their respective bins. I would buy themed kits on Etsy or make my own with beans and hot wheel cars. My oldest loved kinetic sand, and my youngest loved rainbow rice. I started realizing that I enjoyed putting these bins together for them and began researching ways to make my colored rice and beans. My kids and I started to explore all kinds of process art together to pass the time. I remember posting a picture of my two paintings with ice cubes covered in paint; my sister-in-law said while laughing, “I see the things you do with them, and my anxiety just shoots through the roof.” I started getting lots of comments like that from friends and family and realized a lot of parents didn’t know how or couldn’t handle (or didn’t want to handle) the mess of painting with kids, playing with shaving cream, or having rice all over. I could offer this type of thing to parents and caregivers.
My twins were born in August 2020, and our world was turned upside down. Again, sensory bins and process art were life savers. My two had gotten so good at this type of play that they were completely occupied and not only knew how to play alone but enjoyed it. As we came out of the newborn fog, I could see how valuable this skill was for them to have. I also started missing my classroom and students. I’m meant to be a teacher, but with 4 small kids, all 4 and under, it wasn’t feasible to go back yet. With my 4 small kids, I knew I needed to start small, so I decided to start making and selling my sensory kits while working towards hosting my own sensory and process art classes. In December of 2021, I found a kid’s studio on Instagram on the east coast called HomeGrown Friends, and I decided I wanted to try to create something similar.
In March of 2021, I filed my LLC, became an official business, and started selling sensory kits. In June of 2021, I hosted my first Sense of Play Date at a local park and invited friends and my short list of customers. I had many large sensory bins and fun process art projects to try. It was a blast! I continued selling kits all through that year. In 2022 I made it a goal to plan regular Sense of Play Dates at local parks. I held 10 play dates over the summer and several this past fall. I have been lucky to partner with Kirkwood Community Center this winter and have been able to continue hosting play dates indoors there.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I officially started this business, I had a 5-year-old, a 2.5-year-old, and twin 6-month-olds. My biggest obstacle is keeping my head straight and remembering not to over-schedule. I am the type of person that gets an idea and tries to dive in, and it consumes me. Slowing down and taking it to step by step has been an ongoing challenge. I want to remember why I chose to take a leave of absence from teaching to spend more time with my children. As a stay-at-home parent, I always have at least two kids with me. So I worked at nap time and after bedtime, and scheduling Sense of Play Dates was challenging until June 22, when my mom retired. She’s been helpful and will help watch my twins and whoever else is home so I can host these classes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I create sensory kits and materials for children. I also host sensory and process, art classes. I aim to be home to a “yes space” for parents and caregivers. I want families to bring their children to a class where they can enjoy the process of sensory play while not worrying about the potential mess it might create. While my classes appeal to the toddler age, sensory play is good for all kids, and adults, regardless of age. All ages are encouraged and welcome. I am a certified teacher in Missouri, birth-6th grade, and have taught for 11 years. I have a master’s degree in educational innovation from Webster university. As parents, my husband and I have always tried to limit screen time and give our kids ample time for creative activities and to be outdoors. I’m happy I’ve channeled that into a work where I get to know hundreds of kids and their families (just like teaching in a classroom) through play.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband deserves a ton of credit. For one, he’s the best human. He’s willing to help me explore this path and is incredibly supportive. He’s very encouraging and, thankfully, good at reminding me to slow down, take breaks and not burn myself out. My mom is also incredibly helpful. She is always willing to drop everything and come over to help with the kids so I can host Sense of Play Dates.
Pricing:
- Sensory kits, $20 plus tax
- Sensory Bottles, liquid or rice base $10, plus tax
- ISpy bottles $12, plus tax
- Sense of Play Dates, $25 per family, plus tax.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://senseofplayllc.myshopify.com/collections/all
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/senseofplayllc/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SenseofPlayLLC/
Image Credits
Katie Prestemon Photography
