Testimonials

"My son and I have been going to the Studio for over a year now.  We have participated in many different programs, some free and some at a cost and the classes Allison run are some of the best and most unique we have been to. Our son has grown up and learned so many skills at studio - Allison has provided so many helpful tips and strategies in every stage of his growth and development. Her support and knowledge have been invaluable and something we didn't find in most of the classes we have attended. Every stage she has provided age appropriate activities and things we can do at home - which is so helpful. We have attended a number of different classes at Studio, it is great to be able to go to one place for everything.  

My son's face lights up every time he comes into the studio, he never gets bored and it's a clean and safe environment. We have formed a lot of new friendships through studio and I highly recommend trying out a few classes, it is a great experience…We always recommend Studio to our friends - it is one of the best programs out there for moms and kids. You won't find an activity like this anywhere." 

~Kara Varma

"My daughter loved the studio!  In fact, every Friday morning, we talk about going to see Allison.  The studio experience changes every few months as she discovers new toys/activities that match her development.  The stairs are especially enjoyed as they offer the opportunity to hone her climbing skills.  As a mom-I've appreciated Allison's warm and welcoming personality. 

As a teacher, I love the fact that her studio sessions are organized while at the same time-allowing for the unpredictable actions of babies (eg. if the baby chooses to do something else during circle time-no problem)  The "homework" always teaches me something new.  Allison's ideas are backed by her experience and never cost very much to implement at home....although more expensive than city-run programs, the price is reasonable because the studio is a delightful place to be for both parents and babies.  A studio session incorporates everything the baby loves:  music, socialization, toys, new ideas and Allison's friendly help and advice."

~ Shannon Troy

"Overall, our experience has been wonderful at Extraordinary Beginnings.  I think Nicholas has had a great experience in terms of all of the activities we have done, the interaction with you and with the other babies and I know he loves your animated singing!  I think that these sessions have helped to make him a more interactive and engaged baby and are definitely helping with how he is learning all about the world around him.  Even though he cannot tell me, I know he loves coming to class every Friday! 

My own experience has also been great as I have developed friendships with the moms that have been in class since we started.  We spend time together outside of class which is not only nice to keep us moms sane, but nice for the babies to play with each other.  I think both Nicholas and I wish the class was longer, but in reality he would not be able to stay awake!"

~Sonja Razmovski

"We started when matthew was 6 months old and we both enjoyed every class and all the people we met there.  Allison was wonderful and always happy to see us and has a sincere love of babies. We would absolutely recommend extraordinary beginnings.  It was a wonderful experience and I’ve met some lifelong friends through Extraordinary Beginnings.  I can not say enough positive things about the whole experience except that I’m sad my son is too old to go now.   

I think the most important element of this studio is Allison who had a vision and found a need in our community for a studio like this to help mom’s reach out and for babies to learn and grow.   My son looked forward to each class, he knew when I drove into the parking lot that he was going to the studio and would get very excited and when he learned how to walk he would almost run right to the door of the studio eager to go inside.  This is when I knew that I had made the right choice in investing in my son’s early development.  He is now a wonderfully curious and confident toddler and we still use a lot of the skills and tools we learned at Extraordinary Beginnings."

~ Monica Dawson

"I wanted to share my experience with Extraordinary Beginnings; a wonderful studio program for infants and toddlers, here in Markham . I have been taking my son to the studio since May and I believe that my son's continuing development can be partially attributed to his exposure to the program and most importantly-the owner-Allison Barrow. Allison creates an amazing atmosphere for both parents and babies in that; we are all able to partake in the numerous stimuli that the studio offers. Parents are also privy to great camaraderie and we are able to participate in “Coffee Hours” in which we are treated to speakers from various fields.

The recent Q & A session with Dr.Pancer was extremely informative. We all share information on upcoming events that are pertinent to parents and tots. I particularly enjoy watching my son engage with other children. The studio allows for free flowing play however the children are also treated to songs, puppets, activities, and craft ideas that we can all adopt at home. We have now accumulated a lot of special moments thanks to Extraordinary Beginnings. We have shared a couple of “firsts” like climbing stairs and walking (and so much more in between) and there is nothing like sharing these moments with those who can appreciate them.

My son and Allison have a great relationship. He looks forward to his time at the studio and showers Allison with hugs and kisses. This has been a rich, fulfilling experience for both of us and I am thankful for it. I highly recommend Extraordinary Beginnings and I am happy to share more feedback and answer questions for those who are interested in learning more. Although, there are various programs offered through the Town and other vehicles, I have tried some and none have compared."

~ Zaheera Dhanani-Saju