Sophie completed an honors degree in English Literature and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin in 1981, and went on to study Suzuki violin Pedagogy and viola performance at Ithaca College, New York.  Returning to Ireland, Sophie established a large and successful Suzuki violin studio.  On emigrating to New Zealand in 1986, Sophie qualified in Early Childhood Education with the New Zealand Playcentre Association.  In 1988, together with Olympic Athlete, Sports Psychologist and teacher Jerome Hartigan, she established Jumping Beans, which has become a household name. 

The birth of her three children inspired Sophie to write the internationally acclaimed Jumping Beans preschool picture books and develop the concept for the Jumping Beans TV show which is currently in development.  Sophie is co-author of 'Move Baby Move', a guide for parents which links early childhood exercise with brain development and learning.  The preface is by renowned US pediatrician Dr. Bruce Perry.

Sophie gets up at 6am each morning to pursue her writing and enjoys running by the sea with her dog and doing body sculpting.  She came 7th in her age group in the 2007 Auckland half marathon. She is also an avid reader, theatre and movie goer.

Sophie sits on several child advocacy committees including the Active Movement Advisory Group, The Brainwave Trust, the Infant Mental Health Association of Aotearoa NZ, the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (Auckland) and the National Speakers Association of New Zealand.

Sophie is a member of the Global Children's Liberation Movement.  Her goal in life is to empower parents to raise happy, healthy and confident kids for the peaceful and sustainable future of our planet. 

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