Sensory play classes designed to support your child’s development while strengthening the mom–child connection
OUR FOUNDER
Paolete Vallejo
Paolete Vallejo is a psychologist and the founder of We Make a Mess – Sensory Gym. Her professional journey began in the United States within the field of early childhood education, where she and her family owned and operated a preschool and learning center in Florida for nearly five years.
During that time, Paolete gained in-depth experience with the U.S. educational system, licensing requirements, regulations, and administrative processes. As her role evolved, she became deeply involved in the educational side of the school, working closely with children, families, and educators. It was there that she identified a critical gap in early childhood spaces: the lack of truly trained professionals with a strong understanding of child development. This realization sparked her growing commitment to intentional early learning and conscious family support.
After relocating to Houston and becoming a mom to a young baby, Paolete began searching for early stimulation classes that combined movement, sensory play, and educational purpose. While she found traditional options such as play gyms, she felt something essential was missing—spaces where sensory learning was guided, intentional, and deeply rooted in real mom–child connection.
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From both a personal and professional need, We Make a Mess was born.
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We Make a Mess was created to offer purposeful sensory experiences where children learn through play, movement, and exploration, while honoring their individual developmental rhythms. At the same time, it provides moms with a space for presence, connection, and community in the midst of busy, fast-paced lives.
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​Paolete is a psychologist certified in early stimulation and has experience working with children with diverse developmental needs, including children on the autism spectrum and those with ADHD. At We Make a Mess, she personally designs all programs and weekly lesson plans, incorporating rotating themes, seasonal concepts, and sensory activities tailored to each developmental stage.
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Her greatest motivation is to walk alongside families from their children’s earliest months—watching babies grow into confident young children, and witnessing not only their development, but also the growth, confidence, and connection of the moms who journey together.
Our mission
To nurture children’s development through intentional sensory play, strengthen the mom–child bond, and create a supportive community where families grow together.
Our vision
A world where children and moms grow side by side—building confidence, connection, and conscious childhoods from the very beginning.
OUR STORY
Behind the brand is a founder with years of hands-on experience in early childhood education. In 2015, she moved to the United States and became the owner and director of a preschool and learning center in Florida. For five years, she was deeply involved in both the educational and administrative sides of the school, working closely with children, families, and educators every day.
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​During that time, one reality became impossible to ignore: many early childhood spaces focused on care, but lacked intentional education. Too often, children were supervised without a true understanding of child development, sensory learning, or the emotional needs of early childhood. This experience sparked a deeper commitment to conscious, purpose-driven early learning.
In 2020, life shifted. The preschool was transferred to another family, and a new chapter began in Houston, Texas. Now stepping into motherhood herself, the search began from a different perspective—that of a mom looking for meaningful experiences to share with her baby.
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Classes were everywhere, but something was missing.
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There were daycares and play gyms, but few spaces truly honored the mom–child bond, sensory play with intention, and development rooted in how children actually grow and learn. The question naturally emerged: What if there were a space where babies and young children could learn through sensory play—while being actively accompanied by their moms?
That question became the foundation of We Make a Mess.
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In 2023, the vision became clear. Months were spent designing age-based sensory classes, building thoughtful curricula, and creating a space where play, movement, and emotional connection could coexist—away from screens, pressure, and overstimulation.
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On February 1st, We Make a Mess officially opened its doors in Houston. Today, children can begin as early as 3 months old and grow with us through their preschool years, allowing families to witness their full developmental journey. Along the way, something beautiful has happened: a community of moms has formed. A space where fears soften, confidence grows, and motherhood is shared rather than carried alone.
We Make a Mess is more than a sensory class.
It is a safe space.
A supportive community.
And a conscious way to experience early childhood—together.
OUR values
Connection
Nurturing the emotional bond between moms and children through shared experiences.
Presence
Being fully here—engaged, attentive, and emotionally available in every moment.
Love
Leading with love, compassion, and respect for every child and family.
Purposeful Play
Designing sensory play with intention, meaning, and developmental purpose.