Meet Kayla Simpson | Holistic Kid’s Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Imagine a world where everyone lives from their heart. Sprouting Spirits core mission is to help children navigate their inner world with love so they can connect deeply with themselves, their community, and our Earth. All across the world teens are constantly striving to be connected through screens, but often avoid “real life” interactions. Childhood depression, anxiety, and suicide rates are increasing at alarming rates. Often schools do not directly teach social emotional skills, but still expect our little ones to appropriately self regulate when having big feelings. Schools tend to focus on academics. Who cares if your child knows their ABCs and 123s before they turn 4! None of that matters if they have no idea how to identify and express their feelings or socialize with peers. Sprouting Spirits is aiming to reverse that by explicitly teaching social emotional, self regulation, and mindfulness skills to the children of West LA. Through music, movement, art, and play children are given the freedom to navigate their inner and outer worlds while expressing their authentic self. Valuable life skills are shared at each Sprouting Spirits class. Teaching and nurturing social emotional skills throughout the early years fosters a strong sense of confidence that can be carried into those tough young adult years. As children grow they can use these skills to create a more connected and compassionate world.

What should our readers know about your business?
Sprouting Spirits has come along way since it’s launch in January 2020. It weathered the storm and bloomed in the middle of a pandemic, relaunched cross country during my personal battle with cancer, and has blossomed into several beautiful programs that reach numerous families throughout West LA. With what sounds like a road full of obstacles, Sprouting Spirits never found it a challenge to thrive and only grew stronger with the curveballs of life. After all, seeds needs both light and rain to sprout! This whole experience has truly reinforced trusting the process, myself, and the universe. It taught me to never give up even when the road looks hard. Most importantly I was reminded that doing what brings you joy is key to a successful life. I am so proud of the success of Sprouting Spirits, and look forward to watching it continue to expand!

Sprouting Spirits now offers live music classes, art classes, micro schools, holistic classes, and birthday parties! Our programs are unique because they are held outside in nature and are designed based off of client/child interests. We offer a caring community to support like minded friendships between children and even their parents. The core mission is to increase the connection to ourselves, others, and our world through holistic practices and imagination.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place, and thus why I now call it home, is Venice Beach. The boardwalk is filled with free spirits, music, art, and hard work. I love listening to Venice legend Tru Artis perform conscious hip hop and jokingly roast passing by tourists. While your here check out the art walls and even add your own graffiti creation! If you’re a fan of french fries, Wee Chippy on Westminster is the yummiest I’ve tasted. End the night with a beautiful beach sunset full of bright pinks, purples, and oranges while you relax to the sounds of the ocean waves.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Prior to moving to LA to bring Sprouting Spirits to California, I had some wonderful women who mentored me and helped me grow as an educator. Eva Goulette, founder of Dancing Jaguars Spirit Camp, was the biggest component into helping me launch the beta version of Sprouting Spirits in Massachusetts. I am so thankful for the initial push her teachings gave me.

My appreciation goes out to Tru Artis, Venice rapper and creator, for the reminder to reach big and do anything to achieve dreams. Having someone in your life with mutual ambition who push you to never stop the grind is priceless in the world of entrepreneurs. Your inspirational lyrics to believing in yourself and being free bring encouragement to all.

However I have endless gratitude for the mamas of the children I teach. Thank you for trusting me to guide your little into living through love. Thank you for trusting me as your child’s first caretaker/teacher. Thank you for the support and community you offered me during hard times. A special shout out to those who helped grow Sprouting Spirits into what it is today. Thank you to Molly who first discovered my classes when I moved to Venice. Thank you to Niko who invited me into her home to host my first class, Thank you to Mariana and Brittany for the encouragement to start Spirit School, which is absolutely my favorite class. Most of all thank you Viv who introduced me to the lovely homeschooling/like minded community that has allowed Sprouting Spirits to thrive.

Lastly I am thankful for myself and the universe for feeling strong and safe enough to build a business from the ground up during the hardest period of my life.

Website: SproutingSpirits.com

Instagram: Sprouting_Spirits

Facebook: fb.me/sproutingspirits1