Baby Classes for Early Development Through Sensory Stories | Surrey baby and family photographer
If you are a parent of a baby under two and are looking for fun, stimulating, and engaging activities for both you and your little one in and around Dorking, Surrey, then sensory storytelling could be the perfect experience. Combining interactive play, imaginative stories, and sensory exploration, these sessions are a wonderful way to support your baby’s development while creating special (and magical!) memories together. I, your Surrey baby and family photographer, recently had the pleasure of learning more about Little Wonder Worlds and what makes their classes so magical from their Chief Wonder Maker, Sharrie.
1. What exactly is the concept of sensory storytelling, and who is it for?
Sensory storytelling, at its heart, is about bringing a story to life in a way that babies can truly experience it — not just hear it.
Instead of sitting and listening to a book from start to finish, little ones step inside a brand new story world each week. They might feel the crunch of leaves under their hands, watch lights shimmer like stars, hear gentle music or sound effects, explore textures, move their bodies, and interact with carefully chosen props. The story unfolds through all of their senses — touch, sight, sound, movement, and sometimes even smell.
For Little Wonder Worlds, it isn’t about performance or passive entertainment. It’s about creating a calm, magical space where children can explore at their own pace, follow their curiosity, and build a genuine connection to the story and to the grown-up they’re sharing it with.
It’s designed specifically for babies and toddlers (0–2 years), at a stage where:
- language is still developing
- sensory exploration is how they make sense of the world
- connection and co-experience matter more than structured outcomes
And just as importantly, it’s for the grown-ups too.
Because Little Wonder Worlds offers a shared experience. A moment to slow down, be present, and connect. No pressure to “get it right,” just space to enjoy your little one, meet others, and feel part of something gentle, meaningful and magical.
2. What inspired you to start Little Wonder Worlds and focus on sensory storytelling?
When people ask why I started Little Wonder Worlds, the answer is simple. It begins and ends with my children.
My first son arrived halfway around the world, in the middle of a pandemic. There were no baby classes, no family nearby, no village around us. Just weeks after he was born, I developed a rare condition and found myself in a wheelchair, unable to even step outside with him. In that quiet, isolating time, I realised something deeply: early parenthood isn’t meant to be done alone. We don’t just want connection, we need it.
Little Wonder Worlds grew from that feeling. A desire to create a space where parents feel seen, supported and surrounded, and where babies begin their story in a room full of warmth.
My second son shaped the heart of it. Stories are his safe place, his joy, his way of making sense of the world. Watching him, I saw how stories become something you don’t just read, but step inside. They build imagination, empathy and connection in the most natural, beautiful way.
And my third son reminded me of something just as important. He is endlessly curious, always moving, exploring and discovering. He learns through doing, through play, through experiencing the world with his whole body. He showed me that curiosity isn’t something to contain, but something to nurture.
Little Wonder Worlds brings all of that together: connection, imagination and curiosity. It is the space I once needed, shaped by the magic I have seen in my own children, and a place where stories are truly brought to life for every family who walks through the door.
3. How do you choose themes and create your sensory story sessions?
It always starts with the story.
I choose books that have heart, rhythm, and a sense of wonder. Stories that feel like they can be stepped inside, not just read. I’m looking for something that sparks imagination but also feels gentle and grounding for little ones.
From there, I build the world around it.
I think about what that story might feel like through a child’s senses. What textures would they explore? What sounds would they hear? What colours, lights, or movements would bring it to life? Every prop and activity is chosen with intention, so it all ties back to the story rather than feeling like separate pieces.
I also shape each session with development in mind. I’ll adapt elements so that every age group can engage in their own way, whether that’s quiet observation, reaching and grasping, or full-body exploration and play.
And just as importantly, I think about the pace and the atmosphere. I’m always trying to create something that feels calm, immersive, and unhurried. There’s space for babies to follow their curiosity, and for grown-ups to slow down and be present with them.
So it’s a blend of intuition, understanding of early development, and a lot of care.
Every session is designed to feel like a little world you can step into together.
4. What benefits does sensory storytelling have for children’s learning and development?
Sensory storytelling supports children’s learning in a way that feels completely natural to them, because it meets them exactly where they are.
In the early years, children don’t learn by sitting and listening. They learn by experiencing. So when a story is brought to life through textures, sounds, movement and visual elements, it helps them understand and engage in a much deeper way.
It supports language development, as they begin to connect words to real experiences. It nurtures curiosity, because they’re free to explore and follow what interests them. It strengthens physical development through reaching, grasping, moving and interacting with their environment. And it builds those early foundations for attention and focus, as they become absorbed in what’s in front of them.
But beyond that, there are some really powerful emotional and social benefits too.
Stories help children begin to understand feelings, patterns and the world around them in a safe and gentle way. So while it might look like simple, magical play on the surface, a lot is happening underneath.
It’s supporting the whole child, their mind, their body, and their sense of connection to the world around them.
5. How do you make your sessions inclusive for children with different needs and abilities?
Inclusion is something I think about from the very beginning, not something added in later.
I design every session to be flexible and open-ended, so there isn’t one “right” way to take part. Some children might sit and quietly observe, others might dive straight in and explore everything, and both are equally valued. That takes the pressure off and allows each child to engage in a way that feels right for them.
The sensory elements really support this too. By offering a mix of textures, sounds, lights and movement, children can connect with the story through the senses that feel most comfortable and enjoyable for them. If one thing doesn’t suit a child, there are always other ways in.
I’m also really mindful of the environment. I keep the atmosphere calm, predictable and gently structured, which helps children feel safe and supported. And because the sessions are small. Just as importantly, I try to create a space where grown-ups feel comfortable too. Every family is welcomed exactly as they are, without judgment or expectation.
6. What has been your most memorable or rewarding moment during a session?
I love watching the little ones in real time…that look of pure wonder when a new prop is introduced…or when they fully lose themselves in the story. It’s such a simple thing, but it feels really special every single time.
It’s the feedback from parents. Hearing that they feel calm in the space, that it feels magical for them just as much as it does for their babies, or that it’s become the highlight of their week. Those moments mean everything.
And then there’s the connection beyond the story. Seeing grown-ups chat, share, and find each other. Watching those quiet “magic moments” land, and noticing the genuine emotion they bring out in parents too.
It’s never just one big moment; it’s all of those small, meaningful ones that build something really special.
7. What can parents expect when bringing their child to a Little Wonder Worlds class?
Parents can expect something that feels quite different from a typical baby class.
From the moment you walk in, the space is calm, welcoming and thoughtfully set up. Everything is ready to invite your little one into a gentle story world, but there’s no pressure to follow along in a certain way. Your child can explore at their own pace, whether that’s watching, reaching, moving or diving straight in.
Each session is rooted in a story, which unfolds through sensory play, music, props and those little “magic moments” that bring it all to life. It’s immersive, but never overwhelming. There’s a natural flow, with plenty of space to pause, connect and simply enjoy being together.
For parents and carers, it’s just as much about you as it is your child. It’s a chance to slow down, step out of the busyness of everyday life, and havesome uninterrupted, meaningful time together. There’s also space to chat and connect with other grown-ups, in a way that feels easy and unforced.
Most of all, you can expect to leave feeling a little lighter. Like you’ve shared something special with your child, and been part of something warm, calm and quietly magical.
If you would like to find out more about Baby Sensory in Dorking, Surrey, contact Shaarie here
If you are looking for a Surrey baby and family photographer, then get in touch with Shal here
