The teacher is a mum too!
Learning to sign with my children through going to TinyTalk classes was such a positive thing for my family and me. Not only could my son communicate to me that he wanted milk, food, a drink, bed or that it was his nappy but I also got an insight into what else he was aware of; he signed 'windy' to me when the trolley was stopped under the air-conditioning unit in a shop, he told me that he was too ‘cold’ in the swimming pool, commented when a ‘noisy’ ‘car’ goes past us and, often, that it was the ’dog’ that has made that ‘smell’ not him! Attending classes is not a magic spell – to establish signing as communication requires practice on an on-going basis. Once it becomes a habit, though, the only thing holding you back is having a hand or two free to make a sign at the relevant time! Most of us would not care for a child without speaking to her as we go about our daily routine and signing is incorporated in just the same way. When my son was learning to talk I had a more accurate idea of the words that he was trying to form because he was signing them too. This helped me to reinforce the use of the spoken word. Similarly, our use of signing helped to clarify his understanding of the world around him; not every black and white animal is a ‘cow’ and not every small fluffy one is a ‘cat’! To have a form of dialogue with your little one so young and to be able to see so early how their personality is emerging is fascinating and rewarding. Not only did I notice the absence of crying but how much fun and laughter we could have together because I could understand his view of the world. Happy, happy, happy.
We loved these classes. They were great for my two girls, one 1 and one 3. The classes were pitched brilliantly to suit both ages and stages. Lovely teacher, they learnt lots and really enjoyed themselves.
STORY: Books you recommended for babies...
Calm Down Boris by Sam Lloyd (Andrew at 12 months old)
Come on Daisy by Jane Simmons (Grace at 20 months old)
Peepo! Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Poo Bum by Stephanie Blake (Reuben at 16 months old)
Wow said the owl by Tim Hopgood (Reuben at 10 months old)
The Gruffalo touch and feel book by Julia Donaldson
Rumble in the Jungle (for 9 months plus)
Any book by Richard Scary (for 30 months)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear (for 12 months plus)
The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child & Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson (from 6 months)
Mr Brown can moo can you? Dr Seuss (involves lots of noises)
First 100 Words by Bright Baby (a picture dictionary)
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Each Peach, Pear, Plum by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Rhyming Stories - Pip the Dog & Freddy the Frog by Alex Scheffler
Phoebe and I really enjoy Katherine's classes. Phoebe loves the songs, the props and the structure of the class and I love being in a toddler class where I get to learn something new! It's also wonderful to have time for a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat with the other parents at the end of the class.
TinyTalk has been a great experience and we can't wait to go back for another term. South Bookham Space is the perfect venue; with parking, changing and kitchen facilities, a lovely size hall with natural light, clean and comfortable. Sign language is a fantastic activity, to meet friends and develop a skill that is so beneficial in so many ways. Developing friendships and aiding communication, whether it's with those with hearing impairments or not. As well as singing and playing, It's great leaning for parents/carers and children alike. And to top it off it is affordable compared to many other classes designed to entertain young minds; the venue arrangements no doubt a contributing factor. Sign language is a skill that everyone should have some understanding of and Tiny Talk is an opportunity not to be missed.
We love Katherine’s TinyTalk classes and would recommend them to any parents who are interested in interacting with their child by signing or singing. Signing as become part of our daily routine and it is great to see my son recognising familiar signs. We love the songs we have learnt at TinyTalk and sing them at home. The classes are always engaging with props and shakers. Thank you Katherine for the wonderful classes and for being so welcoming and accommodating.
Isla loved her 1st communication and signing class today. It was perfect for her being 9 weeks old. Thank you 😊
We've been together with Katherine in her tiny-talk class and toddler-talking class for 3years since my little one was 6months old. Katherine's class is my little one's favourite without doubt. We're here not only to learn the sign language but also to enjoy communicating with one another using our bodies, voices and songs in much comfortable and playful settings. Every Katherine's classes are effective and attractive enough to encourage both little human and mum to eager to talk!
Absolutely love this class, as does our little boy. The songs and interaction is great and it really feels like I am learning so much too. Its also wonderful to see the babies using the signs.
"We had the best afternoon at TinyTalk last Monday with Katherine!! Louis loved it and is already using new sounds and loves watching us sign to him. (Picture [ ] we are signing food and drink and he is getting very excited.) Food is Louis’s favourite 😂 Can’t wait to see what else we both learn while being part of TinyTalk!"
Thank you for teaching us everything we know. F's signing has been invaluable for understanding what he's interested in and wants to share with us. He's learning more signs all the time and I couldn't imagine life without them!"
"My baby son has just started signing himself after attending Tiny Talk for 3-4 months, it is so exciting to see how much he has to say and to be able to communicate clearly with him although he's nowhere near talking yet! Thanks so much Katherine for being an amazing teacher and being so encouraging."
"I can thoroughly recommend signing to any and everyone! We signed with our eldest from 6 months and she started to sign back from 8 months. At 30 months her language skills are outstanding and this was highlighted by the health visitor. I attribute this to her ability to converse from an early age."
"I have recommended baby signing to lots of friends. It has been such a brilliant way to improve communication. When your baby signs to you and you understand exactly what he wants, it's an amazing feeling. The classes are great fun and have so many different benefits. We love it! :-) "
"TinyTalk is great for mums and babies!! Both you and your baby are learning and meeting new people."
"Nathan didn't start the classes until he was 1 but he loves them and because we talk and sign at the same time, his talking is coming along really well too!"
"We love TinyTalk!! espcially learning all the animal signs. It is a great way to communicate with your little ones! Her speech has come on a lot as well!"
"Great and fun way to develop early communication with your baby"
"Nice to have communications with my 11 months old son Callum and early signs with me because I myself am deaf. Useful to sign with signs!"
"I love watching my son and daughter show off and impress their friends and family with their communication skills - not only talking but signing too!"
"My 8 month old loves singing and social time. She takes it all in and loves watching Katherine"
"My son George has been able to share with us what he wants and what he sees. This has created a stronger bond with me and George."
I can't express to you how glad I am that I came to your classes to learn how to sign with [my daughter]. When she signs to me what she is looking at, it is so helpful for me to know what she is observing and can see. It has been such a fantastic communication tool to use with her since she doesn't have any spoken words yet. Her ability to use her signed words has helped foster a two way dialogue and that has then led to her understanding what we are saying to her. I also know that she listens to what I am saying to her and watches very carefully what I do. Her ability to understand what we are saying is amazing. We get so many comments and compliments from people about her good engagement and communication with everyone she meets and everyone is very impressed and amazed by how many signed words she uses in a short period of time. My family members all participate in the signing with her since they can see how it is helping us all communicate with each other. It has been a fun and rewarding experience and the mother daughter bond is stronger and I feel that I know my child and understand her much much better that I would have without the TinyTalk classes. Thank you!
“…we had such a fun time over the last six months and I really felt that [T] came away with a new skill. My aim in going to all sorts of baby classes was to encourage different parts of [T]'s brain to develop, but I have to say yours is the only class where we can see a tangible result, which is so nice for me and my husband to see!