earn what parents are saying about The Storybook Center, its director,
and its staff.
Malia Kawaguchi (Hana's Mom) writes: To the staff of the Storybook Center, and to parents
thinking of bringing your kids here: The first time I read Harry Potter,
I was envious of those who got to read it for the first time when they were
younger than I was, to make it more a part of them. The power of a story to
shape a person's being is something I feel like I've always known. I started
reading young and have never stopped shaping myself with the written word.
So when there was a chance to send my daughter to learn at someplace called
the Storybook Center, I was thrilled!
The first time I walked into the
Storybook Center, I was envious of my girl for getting to go there when
she's so young! What an amazing place to spend time in those early,
formative years. The clean, bright, open space, the intricate art work to
draw the eye and engage the mind, the brain dances for structure and whole
body engagement... and of course my beloved stories- a new one every six
weeks, just long enough for my girl to learn it well and feel that sense of
accomplishment and achievement, but not so long that she started to get
bored with any one story... Brilliant!
Jennifer loves children. I've never met a
person of whom that is more true . She just adores the kids in these
classes, but more than that she has and education and philosophical
background to always be focused on what's best for them, and not get caught
up in wanting to make things easy for the kids just because she loves them.
There's a quote on the pathway to the door of the Center that says, "Prepare
the child for the path,. not the path for the child." I feel the Center
lives the philosophy every day, challenging the kids and expecting them to
live up to the expectations, being there with an almost invisible safety net
if they fail a particular task that day... Yet never giving up hope, never
giving up those high expectations.
Jennifer also excels in finding those who
are engaged with and love the little ones as well. The staff is just superb,
always involved with the kids and the parents. My daughter loved them, and
would go freely with them in the back without me from almost the very first
day- not something that had been true in her previous out-of-house care
experiences. There is also a supportive community formed by parents who have
similar goals and dreams for their kids. I'm delighted that another of my
daughter's classmates will be attending her new school, because I feel
almost like they've been pre-vetted as great people by having been part of
the Storybook Center family.
Between memorizing words because of
repeated exposure to the same stories, and continually expose to new
stories, and the continuation of sign language as part of her life, my girl
has advanced in language in leaps and bounds since she started at Storybook
Center. I thought I was so happy my heart would break the first time she
flashed the "I love you" sign to me, and that was only expanded the first
time she said it out loud. Childhood is a time a child is shaped like a pot
out of clay, and I can't think of a better kiln than the Storybook Center...
Sincerely,
Malia Kawaguchi (Hana's Mom)
***
Jack's mother writes: "It's not often that you can leave your child
somewhere and know that they may be receiving more attentive time than if
they were with you. This is how I feel when I drop my son Jack off to the
Storybook Center for his Tuesday and Thursday morning classes. Jennifer and
the other Storybook Staff are nurturing, consistent and imaginative
individuals who are all dedicated to the positive development of children.
There is so much energy and enthusiasm that accompanies each class and unit-
I don't know how they manage to keep up with a days worth of little people!
Jennifer is dedicated to providing open communication channels within her
very busy schedule for parents to discuss concerns they may have. She aims
to educate both the child that comes into the center and also the family
that surrounds that child with her developmental philosophy. She runs
workshops to highlight key issues that families are experiencing with the
child, and ways of improving communication channels with your child to
improve the quality of whole family's life. Both my son and I have been
cognitively challenged and have grown since starting at the Storybook Center
just over a year ago. I am so very happy to have been at part of this
wonderful place and part of Jennifer's vision for an emotionally well
equipped, respectful and happy group of children.
***
The Gundermans write: "Words seem insufficient when thanking you for
everything you have given to my boys. When no one else wanted Eli in their
schools, you welcomed him with open arms and an open heart. You have guided
him and taught him with the perfect combination of structure and love. Eli
has gained self-esteem, self-control, communication, and social skills that
will allow him to succeed in school and reach his full potential. And to
Gil, the sweet little brother who too often lived in Eli's shadow, you
recognized him for the special individual that he is. In turn, his
self-esteem and confidence have grown exponentially. You run you school with
your heart which is felt by the children and is why they love you so much.
Last week I asked Gil who his best friend is and he said "Jennifer". When I
took Eli to his last day at Rising Start Academy he said "he wasn't sad
because his favorite school is Storybook." You have given so much to Eli,
Gil and our family and I will be forever grateful. Your warmth, kindness and
compassion are unmatched. Thank you, Jennifer, for being such a wonderful
teacher. WE will miss you more than you know and we intend to keep in touch.
Warmly, Amy, Raz, Eli and Gil Gunderman
***
"Since Logan started at the Storybook Center over a
year ago, he has grown a great deal - no doubt, much due to your efforts!
His social interaction, speech, and love of reading have all developed
beautifully. He speaks about the center incessantly while at home and looks
forward to "Storybook Center Days". He has even implemented a circle time
("dircle dime") at our home - it's adorable. In addition to all that you've
given Logan, you have also taught my husband and I a great deal about
handling sibling rivalry, using positive discipline, and general
development. It's so nice to know that our little guy is in such good hands.
We know we're doing good things for him and his future by sending him to the
Storybook Center!! Thank you so much for making it possible for Logan to
attend your school!" All the best, Jessica.
***
"As newcomers to the Seattle area we found The
Storybook Center to be one of our BEST discoveries. Both of our girls have
made enormous leaps in language, comprehension and social skills. Each unit
the girls explore a new theme through books, art, food, indoor and outdoor
activities, dancing, singing and working together with their peers. Each two
and a half hours is packed with fun learning and social interaction. As a
parent I'm regularly kept up to date with their progress through one on one
meeting and notes and photos from each class. It's fantastic and we all love
the energy and enthusiasm of all the staff, particularly Jennifer. I would
thoroughly recommend the Storybook Center to anyone with young children."
Helen Donaldson, Mollie and Constance.
***
" We just wanted to let you know that we had a lot of
fun at the spring hunt today. Especially Julian likes to explore, to try out
new things and to watch other people/kids. So we are sure that he enjoyed
the candies hidden in the garden, eating snacks and playing together. Thank
you for organizing and the spring hunt was definitely a great idea!"
Julian, Isabelle and Clemens
***
"This is Zoë and her daddy. I am writing you a letter
because I miss you so much. Just because I love you so much. Miss Jennifer,
I miss you because I am in a new school called Overlake. This teacher's name
is Miss Tammy, and my other teacher's name is Miss Robin. Because I am too
old to go to your school now, and I am even four and a half now! I am really
old to go in that class now; that class is only for "three" people. I really
love you because I still love you. I hurt my cheek on Emma's scooter. Momma
took me home, and Daphne and Lulu came to my house while mommy was taking
care of me at home. My cheek is feeling better and the scab came off. I
really miss you and Zoë made it. I am going to dress up as a rock star as
Halloween with some stickers and I really miss you dear Miss Jennifer. Me
and Daphne got phantomed the other night. When you are phantomed, you get
treats at your door outside but you don't know who gave you the treats
because you are sleeping. I drew a picture for you. It is a picture of a
princess and it is so pretty and you will probably like it so much. I think
you will like the dress because I did it several different colors. I am
going to Grandma's house when it's Thanksgiving. Grandma's house is in
Chicago. When we are in Chicago, we may see a dinosaur named Sue. She's the
biggest dinosaur in the whole wide world ever. Zoë 4 1/2
* * *
"Our two year old daughter has been attending The
Storybook Center for almost a year. Our family has benefited tremendously
from the care we've received. Our daughter thoroughly enjoys the positive
atmosphere and relationships she has been developing with the other children
and staff. We are all thrilled with the stimulating environment and the
range of activities. Her language skills have blossomed as have her social
skills. We feel Jennifer and her staff are an integrated part of our
daughter's emotional and social development. As parents, my husband and I are
extremely grateful for the advice and guidance we've received. The constant
feedback, home visits, and sign language classes have been a huge help. They
have helped us gain confidence in our parenting skills. Jennifer is very
supportive, caring, and has great insight into how children behave and
develop. We feel that The Storybook Center has given our family an excellent
place to grow and learn and is a great resource to turn to."
Sabrina C.
* * *
"Jennifer has been a remarkable asset to our family in a difficult
journey. Our daughter was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 4 months of age
and that is when our relationship with Jennifer began. My husband and
I know nothing about deafness or Deaf culture. Jennifer began teaching
my husband and I how to read audiograms, ask questions to the audiologist,
and become knowledgeable on what it like to be deaf. She explained all
of our options without influencing us on which is the best road to follow.
We met Jennifer when she taught an Auditory-Oral class, but she also taught
us S.E.E. (Signing Exact English) at our request. She also knows ASL,
but we preferred S.E.E. to use with our daughter.
During our daughter's process of getting hearing aids and using them for
6 months, Jennifer was always at her appointments with us and guided us as
to what we needed to be aware of with her aids. When we started
thinking about Cochlear Implants, Jennifer gave us numerous articles to
read, both pros and cons for getting cochlear implants. She gave us
many different websites to visit to learn more about the implants and then
when we decided that this was the best route for our daughter, Jennifer was
with us every step of the way, even on the day of the surgery she was with
us.
I truly believe Jennifer is an asset to The Storybook Center and what
makes her so unique is she cares deeply about the children with language and
communication needs and their families. I feel Jennifer wants every
family to know all of the options available before choosing a certain path.
Her knowledge has been a valuable gift to our family."
Bianca S.
* * *
"We are very thankful that Jennifer came into our lives when she
did. She has shown a dedication to C's best interest that is
unequalled.
I see in her heart that she is so drawn to perfection and excellence in
all that she does. God has put those wonderful qualities in her.
That drive for excellence will take her wherever she wants to go in life."
Kathy A.
* * *
