About

Children are inquisitive, competent, creative, compassionate, generous and joyful human beings. They are full of wonder, thoughtful ideas, and an eagerness to form relationships with people, materials and their environment.

When we as the adults in their lives slow down and listen with our bodies, minds and hearts, children reveal to us new ways to see and appreciate the world and show us how we can live joyously, lovingly and with purpose. 

Our role therefore is to cultivate beautiful environments full of open ended materials, thoughtfully designed spaces and generous allotments of time so that children can explore and express their ideas fearlessly. 

For this reason, Side By Side Consulting Services partners with early years organizations to support and enhance their work with children and families. Together, we dig deeper into what it means to create these kinds of joyful and thoughtful environments so that children can be all that they were created to be. 

For over 15 years, Victoria Armstrong, owner of Side By Side (SBS) Consulting Services, has devoted her life to living out this view of children and supporting and challenging others to live out this view of children also. A published author and dance instructor, she has held a variety of roles throughout her early learning career; Classroom Educator, Pedagogical Leader, College Professor, HR and Communications Specialist, Coordinator and Early Learning Consultant. A large part of her career was dedicated to the pioneering and growth of a children’s art initiative that integrated local artists into early learning and licensed child care programs. Her passion for the arts in early childhood along with giving visibility to children’s thinking through the process of pedagogical documentation is what has given her career specific direction over the past 10 years. 

Victoria is a thoughtful, reflective and collaborative leader who challenges others to live from their values, build on their strengths and push themselves to think deeper about why they do what they do and how they can live with intentionality every day in their work. 

In addition to over a decade in the field and working with many children, families and early years professionals, she continues to be inspired daily by her young sons who are the reason for her creation of The Studio. She also holds full bronze level certification in American ballroom and latin dance styles.

If you’re looking to dig deeper into your practice, develop innovative ideas, live with intentionality and thoughtfulness in your work and be provoked and challenged to take new risks, then Connect with Victoria to see where your work together can take you.