vision

The Children’s Imagination Academy is a
heart-centered sanctuary space for
discovering your inner world.

A space where your Child discovers how
COOL / CALM / COLLECTED / CREATIVE / COMPASSIONATE / CAPABLE / CONFIDENT and 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 primary developmental years with in a deep sense of their uniqueness, worldly belonging, self-care and the ability to be a compassionate, courageous and creative being.

We focus on

  • IMAGINATION & CREATIVE THINKING

  • ARTS, CRAFTS, CONSTRUCTION

  • WELLBEING PRACTICES
    incl. Yoga, Creative Movement and Mindfulness

  • SELF-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 experiencec 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

  • Diploma of Shiatsu & Oriental Therapeutics (Shiatsu Practitioner)

  • Dietary Therapeutic/ Five Elements

  • 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)

  • 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 (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 life. Everyone is extraordinary. Together, we have a part to play. This includes YOU!

Join Lou and the CiA 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.