TinyTalk Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield

classes from around 18 months until pre-school age. Classes include singing, signing, props, puppets, scarves, music, bubbles, mirrors, sensory shapes, instruments, books and much more! This is followed by playtime and refreshments. Class costs are per family per hour session (no extra for twins or siblings).

New families with babies of 12 weeks and under, may wish to begin with our Newborn Communication workshop. This is a 6 week course aimed at parents, with a gentle introduction to Signing and focusing on communication through the senses. Due to the calm nature of these sessions, regrettably older siblings cannot attend. I also offer classes in nurseries as well as training for nurseries, childminders and families who cannot attend classes.

I began signing with my first child, Mary-Kay, when she was four months old. She made her first sign, at 9 months when she woke up from her nap and signed to daddy that she wanted ‘milk’. Shortly after she was able to confidently tell us when she wanted milk, juice, food or bed. Over the next few months, she signed ‘duck’, ‘all gone’, ‘toast’, ‘bird’, ‘flower’, ‘dog’, ‘teddy bear’ and ‘fish’. From then on, there was a sudden explosion of signs, with new ones practically every day. By 16 months old she had between 40-50 signs and around 20 words or animal sounds, and just a month later over 80 signs and 50 words. She would even ask for ‘more’ ‘signs’! By her 2nd birthday, she could sign over 200 words and say over 500, speaking in 3 or more word sentences and describing things by size, colour, loudness etc.

We started signing with Harriet straight away, and she made her first sign, also 'milk' at just 12 weeks old!!!! This was quickly followed by 'bath', 'nappy', 'daddy' and 'mummy' by 4 months. Like her big sister, she had an extensive signing and spoken vocabulary by her second birthday and continued to enjoy attending TinyTalk Toddlers up to the age of 4.

The benefits still amaze me and I love seeing the babies at my classes start signing. Come and see for yourself how rewarding baby signing is.