In-person class
Wednesday, 12:50pm - 1:50pm
St John's Community Centre Community Centre St John's Close Colchester CO4 0HP
£8.00 per family per class
TinyTalk Colchester and Tendring
Welcome to the TinyTalk classes of
Kate Shaw
Welcome to TinyTalk Colchester & Tendring: WINNER 'Best for babies' & 'HOOP Hero', Essex HOOP Awards 2019, Top TinyTalk Teacher 2021.
I’m Kate & I have 2 TinyTalkers of my own. Through them, and teaching TinyTalk for over 8yrs, I've seen again & again how powerful baby signing can be.
I’ve worked with children in many settings for over 20yrs, teaching in a special needs school for 8. I've seen on a daily basis how signing gives a voice to those who find it difficult to communicate, not to mention the magic in the moments when they realised they were understood.
It was a natural progression for me to teach Lyra to sign. At 5 months, we started TinyTalk. I watched her smile and giggle through the songs, knowing I was giving her a way to communicate and reduce her frustrations. Like many she signed milk first, followed quickly by bird, more and daddy. Both girls' signs have always been accompanied by attempts at words because at TinyTalk we always 'See it. Say it. Sign it. ' to make sure signing will not delay speech!
Once she began it was incredible how quickly she picked up the signs. At just over a year, she amazed me every day, using signs to show she had noticed things that we adults take for granted. I was able to respond to her needs and interests quickly, which has brought us even closer (so much so that daddy, nanny and grandad all got involved, using the TinyTalk DVD! )
Of course, as she got older she replaced her signs with words and everyone commented on her strong speech, but she would still sign when overwhelmed or unsure. Then Connie took it up - with over 25 signs at 13 months and over 110 by the time she turned 2. Lyra helped her learn, so it built communication and a bond between sisters.
From personal experience, I know how difficult life can be as a new mum (and how much each experience can vary! ) Getting out, even to baby groups can be intimidating.
New families with babies of 12 weeks & under may wish to begin with our Newborn Communication workshop. This 6 week course is aimed at parents, with a gentle introduction to signing and a focus on communication through the senses. Spend some quality time with your new baby, pick up some tips for navigating that 4th trimester and meet other parents.
Is your baby 18m or over? Then our active toddler classes are for you!
At TinyTalk we don't mind if you've washed your hair or have dribble on your top, whether you're struggling, loving every minute or only got 2 hours' sleep last night. I endeavour to provide a safe, friendly & inclusive group where you can engage in fun activities & bond with your baby, share your experiences with others going through the same stages & enjoy a hot drink & a biscuit - because you deserve it!
I'm passionate about baby signing & can't wait to hear from you!
Read more about KateCLOSE THIS PANEL
I’m Kate & I have 2 TinyTalkers of my own. Through them, and teaching TinyTalk for over 8yrs, I've seen again & again how powerful baby signing can be.
I’ve worked with children in many settings for over 20yrs, teaching in a special needs school for 8. I've seen on a daily basis how signing gives a voice to those who find it difficult to communicate, not to mention the magic in the moments when they realised they were understood.
It was a natural progression for me to teach Lyra to sign. At 5 months, we started TinyTalk. I watched her smile and giggle through the songs, knowing I was giving her a way to communicate and reduce her frustrations. Like many she signed milk first, followed quickly by bird, more and daddy. Both girls' signs have always been accompanied by attempts at words because at TinyTalk we always 'See it. Say it. Sign it. ' to make sure signing will not delay speech!
Once she began it was incredible how quickly she picked up the signs. At just over a year, she amazed me every day, using signs to show she had noticed things that we adults take for granted. I was able to respond to her needs and interests quickly, which has brought us even closer (so much so that daddy, nanny and grandad all got involved, using the TinyTalk DVD! )
Of course, as she got older she replaced her signs with words and everyone commented on her strong speech, but she would still sign when overwhelmed or unsure. Then Connie took it up - with over 25 signs at 13 months and over 110 by the time she turned 2. Lyra helped her learn, so it built communication and a bond between sisters.
From personal experience, I know how difficult life can be as a new mum (and how much each experience can vary! ) Getting out, even to baby groups can be intimidating.
New families with babies of 12 weeks & under may wish to begin with our Newborn Communication workshop. This 6 week course is aimed at parents, with a gentle introduction to signing and a focus on communication through the senses. Spend some quality time with your new baby, pick up some tips for navigating that 4th trimester and meet other parents.
Is your baby 18m or over? Then our active toddler classes are for you!
At TinyTalk we don't mind if you've washed your hair or have dribble on your top, whether you're struggling, loving every minute or only got 2 hours' sleep last night. I endeavour to provide a safe, friendly & inclusive group where you can engage in fun activities & bond with your baby, share your experiences with others going through the same stages & enjoy a hot drink & a biscuit - because you deserve it!
I'm passionate about baby signing & can't wait to hear from you!
Meet Kate...
Children:Lyra, 9yrs and Connie, 7yrs
Location:Colchester and Tendring, Essex
Favourite Sign:caterpillar, rainbow, turtle, cheeky!
Qualifications:BSL Level 1; Beginners Makaton; Specialist Dyslexia Teacher; PGCE; BA Hons
Favourite Film:Anything with a bit of singing and a happy ending! The Disney collection is for my daughter, honest.
Pet Hate:Bad manners! It costs nothing to be polite and kind.
Secret Passion:Getting lost in a book, live music gigs and having a good old sing and dance like nobody's watching!
I most admire:My parents (I didn't realise how hard their job was until I became a mum!)
I love baby signing because:I love how something so simple makes such a big difference to a baby's language development and communication. It provides a window into their minds. How can you not love it?
Our current classes:
Newborns
Directions:Please note: for your safety, we have moved to the large hall in the community centre.
There is plenty of car parking on site which is accessed from St. John's Close (not from Ipswich Road). Once you've parked up, enter the community centre and walk through. You will pass toilets on your left. We are in the last room on the right.
Baby Signing
In-person class
Monday, 11:20am - 12:20pm
Love Laugh Learning Fitness4Less, Wyncolls Road Colchester CO4 9AS
£8.00 per family per class
Note:Your first booking includes your TinyTalk Signing Pack at the reduced price of £12. This will be added to the cost of your classes above.
Directions:This venue is located inside Fitness4Less gym. Once inside the gym, you will see the door to your right. There is plenty of free parking onsite.
In-person class
Monday, 12:40pm - 1:40pm
Love Laugh Learning Fitness4Less, Wyncolls Road Colchester CO4 9AS
£8.00 per family per class
Directions:This venue is located inside Fitness4Less gym. Once inside the gym, you will see the door to your right. There is plenty of free parking onsite.
In-person class
Wednesday, 10:00am - 11:00am
St John's Community Centre Community Centre St John's Close Colchester CO4 0HP
£8.00 per family per class
Directions:Please note: for your safety, we have moved to the large hall in the community centre.
There is plenty of car parking on site which is accessed from St. John's Close (not from Ipswich Road). Once you've parked up, enter the community centre and walk through. You will pass toilets on your left. We are in the last room on the right.
In-person class
Wednesday, 11:20am - 12:20pm
St John's Community Centre Community Centre St John's Close Colchester CO4 0HP
£8.00 per family per class
Note:Your first booking includes your TinyTalk Signing Pack at the reduced price of £12. This will be added to the cost of your classes above.
Directions:Please note: for your safety, we have moved to the large hall in the community centre.
There is plenty of car parking on site which is accessed from St. John's Close (not from Ipswich Road). Once you've parked up, enter the community centre and walk through. You will pass toilets on your left. We are in the last room on the right.
In-person class
Friday, 11:20am - 12:20pm
St John's Community Centre Community Centre St John's Close Colchester CO4 0HP
£8.00 per family per class
£48.00 for this term's classes
Note:Your first booking includes your TinyTalk Signing Pack at the reduced price of £12. This will be added to the cost of your classes above.
Directions:Please note: for your safety, we have moved to the large hall in the community centre.
There is plenty of car parking on site which is accessed from St. John's Close (not from Ipswich Road). Once you've parked up, enter the community centre and walk through. You will pass toilets on your left. We are in the last room on the right.
In-person class
Friday, 12:40pm - 1:40pm
St John's Community Centre Community Centre St John's Close Colchester CO4 0HP
£8.00 per family per class
£48.00 for this term's classes
Directions:Please note: for your safety, we have moved to the large hall in the community centre.
There is plenty of car parking on site which is accessed from St. John's Close (not from Ipswich Road). Once you've parked up, enter the community centre and walk through. You will pass toilets on your left. We are in the last room on the right.
Toddler Talking
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In-person class
Monday, 10:00am - 11:00am
Love Laugh Learning Fitness4Less, Wyncolls Road Colchester CO4 9AS
£8.00 per family per class
Note:Your first booking includes your TinyTalk Signing Pack at the reduced price of £12. This will be added to the cost of your classes above.
Directions:This venue is located inside Fitness4Less gym. Once inside the gym, you will see the door to your right. There is plenty of free parking onsite.
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In-person class
Friday, 10:00am - 11:00am
St John's Community Centre Community Centre St John's Close Colchester CO4 0HP
£8.00 per family per class
Directions:Please note: for your safety, we have moved to the large hall in the community centre.
There is plenty of car parking on site which is accessed from St. John's Close (not from Ipswich Road). Once you've parked up, enter the community centre and walk through. You will pass toilets on your left. We are in the last room on the right.
Our term dates
- Dates this term
- 02 June - 18 July
- Dates next term
- 08 September - 24 October
- 02 November - 19 December
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