TinyTalk South Somerset & West Wiltshire

signing - I went along to find out more and we loved it! When I had my daughter Amelia, I wanted to do something with her, but there were no baby signing classes in this area, so I decided to start my own. Amelia is now such a chatterbox, and has benefited greatly from baby sign language. I really believe that she talked earlier as a result of learning sign language. I subsequently loved running my classes with Charlotte - I was so pleased when she did her first sign "milk" at 9 months whilst I was feeding her. She loved coming to class with me and really enjoyed all the songs especially the bouncy ones! Signing has really helped with her communication and reducing all those tantrums due not understanding!

Signs are a great means of communication for babies, enabling them to speak to you before they have learnt the fine art of talking. Baby signing provides an insight into your babies mind; it is great when they get really excited as they have seen something, pointing, clasping and unclasping their hands, doing the sign for duck – there was one on the river –it is such a wonderful feeling knowing what your child is telling you. As your child gets older, signs can greatly reduce the frustration of not knowing what your little one is trying to tell you; for example, Alexander used to say “boo mummy, boo”, but when he used the sign for food, I understood that he wanted some food, and could give him a snack rather than a game of peek a boo! Amelia and I were reading a book, and she kept saying "eye", then she did the sign for butterfly, she was interested in the butterfly picture on the page! It was fantastic when Charlotte learnt the sign for water, so she could tell me she wanted water not milk to drink!

We really enjoy our TinyTalk classes, the familiar songs, nursery rhymes and action songs make signing fun and easy to learn. There is also the chance for the babies to play with some new playmates and for the mums or carers to have a much needed cup of tea and a good natter. I would love to see you at my classes and be able to pass on the fun of singing and signing.