Hey, I’m Bepa!
I’m an artist, designer, and play-based educator dedicated to supporting children’s innate curiosity and creativity. I am a passionate advocate for a holistic, relational approach to the challenges in the ways we learn, work together, and co-create our communities.
MY IKIGAI
I am deeply curious about how people learn, create, and connect. I find joy, purpose, and fulfillment in building meaningful relationships, exploring ideas in conversation with others, and creating opportunities for mutual vulnerability and growth. I am excited about contributing to a world where children feel truly seen, heard, and trusted, and given quiet time in a shared space—in the words of Ruud van Middelaar—to explore and learn at their own pace and make sense of the world in their unique ways. Creativity and playfulness, whether in my artistic practice or community-oriented work, are essential to my well-being.
EXPERTISE
Co-creation with children
I see children as active agents in shaping their learning and life journeys. Playful co-creation with children is a method of engagement that empowers them to participate in decision-making and impact choices concerning their everyday realities in meaningful ways and on equal terms with adults. Through design-based workshops, one-on-one mentorship, or context-specific collaborations, I work alongside them—listening, guiding, and creating space for their ideas to take form.
Play-based education
Play is not just a break from learning; it is learning. I design creative learning experiences and environments based on free choice, open-ended exploration, joyfulness, and collaboration. Play becomes a tool for problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-expression, making education more engaging and meaningful. Whether rapid prototyping with minimum investment in tools and materials or using robotics, electronics, digital making and fabrication, children develop creative confidence, empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
Learning for sustainability
Learning for sustainability is an approach integrating sustainable education, environmental learning, and eco-minded design to foster the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that support conscious living, equitable societies, and environmentally just futures. I aim to nurture children’s connectedness to nature and foster their sustainable attitudes through hands-on and meaningful engagement with real-world environmental issues, the intentional choice of materials, and the organization of their learning environments.
About me
With formal training in psychology and design, I have a people-centered, process-oriented mindset and bring openness and care into every project I’m part of. As a big-picture thinker and a generalist with many passions, I thrive in teams collaborating across disciplines, helping connect ideas and translate complex contexts into tangible strategies.
My work
I have experience in conventional and democratic learning settings, always seeking ways to empower children and young people through creative expression and collaboration. My portfolio includes play-based and participatory workshops and projects designed with children and in partnership with various stakeholders.
Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager.
Stay eager.
— Susan Sontag
Partner up with me!
I work with parents, teachers, and organizations to create meaningful experiences and environments where children can explore, grow, and take the lead in their learning. My approach is hands-on, playful, and firmly rooted in trust—supporting children’s autonomy, creativity, social-emotional skills, and well-being. I provide a range of offerings intended to enable children to thrive, support educators, and assist organizations in working with younger audiences.
Parents & caregivers
I give one-on-one mentoring—online and in person—designed to nurture creativity, foster independence, and support self-directed learning. Whether your child needs encouragement to follow up on their ideas, develop a project from start to finish, or simply explore freely in a safe space, these sessions provide individual support tailored to their unique needs.
Educators & practitioners
I offer guidance in creating children’s environments that encourage curiosity, independence, and learning by making—through creative challenges and loose parts play. Whether you're designing a one-time workshop, a classroom, an afterschool program, or a community space, I offer insights and how-to’s to help children engage deeply, think independently, and develop a sense of belonging.
Organizations
The world is complex, yet children are natural sense-makers, and their voices hold immense value and relevance in shaping the future. I work with organizations that seek to place children’s needs, rights, and ideas at the heart of their projects, helping them develop strategies and tools to engage younger participants meaningfully and translate their perspectives and contributions into their final solutions.
Something clicked? Get in touch!
I’d love to hear what sparked your curiosity. Whether it’s a question or an idea, however vague, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to chat and explore how we can work together.