Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Farrah Raines. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Farrah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I came up with the idea of writing children’s books from a therapy program that I had developed to use with my students at the school where I provide occupational therapy services. The sensory toolbox program consists of items to teach breathing techniques, stress reduction, yoga poses, and movement activities to young children so they can learn how to deal with anxiousness or just the opposite low energy. Teaching children these skills at a young age allows them to conquer the skills early in life to help them as they get older and experience more of life’s stressors. The most impacting experience was when a 3-year-old told me she was feeling anxious, but the youngster stopped herself and did deep breathing to calm herself down. She learned this skill from using the sensory toolbox program every day at school. Seeing her progress got me thinking about sharing this program with more children. Voila I started working on writing and illustrating my first book called Tons of Tools to Help Me Be Me! Writing this book was just the beginning for I would write two more children’s books with the goal of helping more children. My second book called Sea of Feelings takes children on an underwater adventure meeting a variety of sea creatures who identifies different feelings and how they affect everyone differently. My third book which is the newest released is called Finding the Super You which is a feel-good superhero story that talks about problem-solving skills and working together with others to accomplish goals. The book also encourages children to discover their own superpowers. Meaning super skills that the reader is passionate about. With all my books I try to look at personal struggles or experiences and pull ideas to include in my writing. My main goal is to help as many children as possible.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Farrah Raines, however my students call me Miss Farrah which has become the norm for everyone who knows my brand. My brand name is Miss Farrah’s Movement and Fun which basically sums up everything I do. If you know me then you know I love anything that has to do with moving (dancing, sensory motor movement, running, swimming, etc.) and I encourage my students to move in some sort of fashion that is individualized to them. Let’s face it the two words Farrah and Fun definitely goes together for I LOVE having fun with my students whether it is during my therapy sessions or it is at the dance studio. Here is my professional background I am a licensed massotherapist, and a certified occupational therapy assistant who works in a school setting. With my extensive background and years of experience with sensory processing I decided to write a children’s book. It is mind blowing to think that I am now a published children author and illustrator and loving every minute of it. This is my second summer going on tour with my books to different venues (libraries, youth centers, malls, and parks) where I get to read and have fun with children and their families. My story times usually consist of reading one of my books, movement activities, and a kid friendly craft. This allows me to share my books with a larger audience, collaborate with people in the same niche, and to form new friendships. I also am so honored to have completed two dance seasons as a movement specialist for our sensory and movement classes at Lacey’s Performing Arts Center. These classes were designed for our individuals with developmental disabilities from ages 3-adult. We have so much fun exploring different movement using a wide array of dance/sensory props (scarves, flags, parachute, shakers, etc.). It is such a feel-good environment where our students build friendships and encouraged to grow their creativity. My personal background consists of being a wonder woman enthusiast who enjoys finding new collectables. I also love going to the movies and eating some butter popcorn after a long week or having pool days with my friends. Then finally I absolutely love my car enthusiast husband for I would not be where I am today without all his support and patient. We love taking day/weekend road trips in his mustang looking for unique restaurants to try. I think that pretty much sums who I am and what my brand is all about.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is sharing what you create with others and seeing the enjoyment it brings. Yesterday, I did a story time in front of my biggest crowd yet and I had so much kid participation by asking them questions throughout the story and then hearing their responses were priceless. The best feeling is looking out among the children’s faces and seeing how engaged they are with the story. Their expressions are what makes it all worthwhile. In fact, I had a little girl yell Miss Farrah I want to walk with you! Thats when my heart melted. Such an awesome feeling!! Keep doing what makes you happy and share it with the world because you never know what an impact you could be making to someone.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My drive behind everything I do is to help children. I had some childhood struggles that could have been less difficult had I known some of the tools I know now. Writing books and developing content is also a personal stress reliever for it brings so much enjoyment knowing that at the end of the creative journey I get to share it with others. Find something that brings you joy and run with it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.missfarrahmovementandfun.com
• Instagram: @MISSFARRAHMOVEMENTANDFUN
• Facebook: Miss Farrah’s Movment and Fun
• Youtube: @missfarrahmovementandfun6180

Image Credits
Teaimariephotography