Our Story
“Mommy I want my hair to be like Aria’s today! Oh the beauty of seeing someone that resembles you in media, you are part of her imaginative play on the daily now.”
Our Beginning
The Teeny Tinys took root in singer songwriter and founder Aria Zenua’s first pregnancy where she quickly realized her love for music and children fit together in perfect harmony. She began to see drastic improvements in her son’s development after weeks of 5am early morning singalongs (he was an early riser) and thought that families with young children in her community could benefit as well. She began networking with local childcare centres and cafés where she would later bring her son and guitar to share interactive songs and create spaces where mothers could connect with one another. It became a way of life for her to learn and grow as a mother and as a budding entrepreneur.
“What I love most about The Teeny Tinys isn’t just the music and talented voices but the humble and good vibes you’re guaranteed every time!”
—Dee
Aria would travel from Brampton, to Toronto to East York offering private musical playdates in families backyards, facilitating programs in childcare centres and hosting birthday parties for child and adult audiences alongside continuing her work as a full time singer songwriter and musician performing in wedding and Motown tribute bands. In 2022 Aria wanted gain more in depth knowledge about early childhood development to strengthen her understanding as she taught so she went on to get her Early Childhood Education Diploma and graduated with high honors. Aria is now a mother of two and like her family, The Teeny Tinys has grown offering online resources for educators and families such as free educational worksheets and The Teeny Tinys YouTube singalong series where practicing kindness, singing and leading with a gratitude attitude is what it’s all about.
Our Mission
The Teeny Tinys seek to enrich and empower children and families through the universal language of music and the joys of creativity. We offer interactive sing-alongs, movement, imaginative play, storytelling, crafts, and strong support networks. We believe that kindness, a sense of belonging, and well-being practices start in childhood, and that bonding through music is a powerful way to plant those seeds.
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Engaging and Interactive
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Age appropriate backed by a RECE
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Diverse learning experiences
Research
Playing = Learning
Studies show that children learn best from experiences that are joyful, add meaningful connections to their lives and that engage and offer a sense of autonomy in socially interactive and safe settings. Creating or engaging in music be it dancing, singing or simply shaking a shaker is known to significantly improve mental and physical health for all participants including parents. Aside from triggering a feel-good chemical called dopamine while listening and creating music, exploring crafts or imaginative story play, the higher dopamine is linked to better memory, attention, creativity, mental flexibility and motivation. When a child is truly involved in an activity, they take charge of their learning. Making decisions and pushing away distractions have long-term benefits for what’s called 'executive control. It’s how we focus, plan, remember instructions and juggle tasks. Children are seen as competent and capable when in supportive environments which is of high importance to owner Ms. Aria. Children need positive connections, we all do.
“Children are the most innovative creative beings on the planet with an extraordinary capacity to see wonder in all they do.”
Stay Connected
If you live in the GTA stay connected by sharing The Teeny Tinys with your childcare centre or festivals within your community where our music, storytelling and craft workshops can be offered. Host a group singalong in a local park or your backward if you are able. We welcome volunteers as well for those that want to take part in helping to facilitate workshops regardless of skill level. We’ll teach you all the skills you need to know. Teenagers 14 years and older can earn community service credits for school in addition to getting hands on experience working with children and families.