Hi! I'm Dawn and I first heard about baby signing back in 2006 when our youngest son, Reuben, was about 3 months old. We'd just discovered that Reuben had Down's syndrome so would find taking hard and need to learn baby sign language. Makaton (the signing & symbols system for people with special needs) only had training for professionals but a couple of friends went to TinyTalk so we signed up to Lindsay Air's TinyTalk baby signing classes in Allestree, Derby ... and I haven't stopped since then!

From the very first week I thought the classes were fantstic. So friendly - unlike most of the toddler groups that I'd tried - and such a laugh! At first there seemed to be a bit of a blur of signs but after only 2 or 3 weeks I was feeling chuffed as I learned and remembered new signs and could start using them at home with Reuben. To be honest I wasn't very good at using the signs at home but after only a few months Reuben started signing "milk" when he wanted feeding. I was SO excited, especially as he was the only special needs child in the class but he was still managing to communicate his needs like the others. Reuben's second sign was "duck", down at our local park and from then on he learned more and more. I reckon he has used about 150 signs which is absolutely brilliant as his speech has been very slow indeed (only just getting the idea of talking aged 4!!).

After a while the friend I had been going to TinyTalk with went back to work but I kept going to the classes and found the social time in the second half of the class excellent for making new friends. Reuben and I transferred to the Oakwood, Derby class for a couple of terms and when Linsday announced that she was selling her franchise (because her second son had health problems, I applied to become a TinyTalk baby signing teacher and bought the Derby franchise. I started teaching in April 2008 and was thrilled to celebrate my third birthday as a TinyTalk teacher, during which time I have taught over 450 classes and helped literally hundreds of local families learn to sign! I say "local" but many people have travelled quite a distance from within the East Midlands to the classes with some coming from Sutton in Ashfield, Burton on Trent, Ashbourne, Melbourne, Wirksworth and Heanor (to name but a few!). I have taught classes for several of the Sure Start Children's Centres in Derbyshire and in September 2011 I was delighted to launch TinyTalk in Belper too.

Why do people love coming to TinyTalk? I have asked lots of people this question and discovered a variety of answers. Almost everyone says how friendly and supportive the classes are, which means a lot when you are sleep deprived and worrying about your baby's feeding or health or life in general and really appreciate making some new friends in the same boat. People also say that they have a lot of fun at the classes. We sing lots of well known nursery rhymes which we all enjoy and helps mums, dads and grandparents find their baby's favourites and sing those at home. As the babies get older and turn into toddlers they interact more and more in the classes with the puppets, props, instruments, scarves etc. and it's simply wonderful to see them having such fun and learning so much!

And then there's the signing. I remember thinking that even if Reuben never signed it would be worth coming to the classes as they are so good. But when Reuben started being able to tell us he wanted his breakfast or had seen a dog or wanted cake after his banana it was a window into his world and made SUCH a difference to all our lives. Reuben has always loved books and being able to sign all the different animals in a favourite story was truly amazing. Now I have the privilage of helping loads of other familes share this special communication and I share their excitement as their baby signs for the first time and goes on to tell them lots of other things by signing. All the research has shown that babies who sign in general go on to speak earlier and more fluently and that has been the experince of the families I teach too. Their little signers rapidly become little talkers as they get the idea of communicating and know that what they have to say (be it by sign or by speech) will be listened to.

Baby signing truly is an amazing thing. But don't take my word for it - come along and see for yourself! You'll be made very welcome whatever your circumstances. We have babies, we have toddlers for as long as they enjoy coming (often until after they are 2), we have twins, we have elder siblings, we have grandparents, we have dads, we have mums of all ages and we only charge "per family" which includes hot drinks and chocolate biscuits!!

I asked existing familes at the classes what they would say to someone who was considering coming to TinyTalk for the first time. They ALL recommended it! Some of the comments were:
*Do it! It's a great class with lots of singing and fun.
*I'd highly recommend it; it's good for helping both parent and baby socialise and I think my son has progressed better through signing.
*Great for knowing your baby's needs and wants as it's much easier for her to sign that talk.
*Just try it!
*Do it. It has been the most welcoming, friendly group that I have been to and great fun. My son loves it!!
*Definitely come as you'll enjoy the classes and the signs are easy to learn.
*It's a lovely class and helps you communicate with your child.
*Enjoy every minute and don't be afraid to join in!
*Definitely recommend it. Best class we've been to!
Do it! Very worthwhile and good value for money.
*Don't hesitate - it's brilliant, friendly, relaxing and fun.
*You will be glad you did - not only does it help with communication now but baby learns that communication works and is fun - good for later in life.
*Come and give it a go, it's very friendly and welcoming.
*You'll love it!

Do click on the "book now" section and I will send you all the class details. I'll be delighted if you decide to come along and I'm sure you'll be really pleased you did!
Dawn

Mini Teacher: Dawn Holt
This is Becci Davies with her daughter Daisy May, who teaches the classes in Duffield and Littleover.

Watch this space for a photo of Vicki Dabell too, who teaches the classes in Oakwood and Chaddesden.

Becci and Vicki started teaching in April this year, after lots of experience and training, and are really enjoying their new classes.