Emily and Scarlet love their little quests and adventures. If food is not in the mix, they do love their little natters and giggles. On Wednesday we did something a little different. Whilst they have in the past done a strange hippy sensory group, Clare and I decided that we should try something different with our girls and what better than a Sing and Sign baby and toddler group. The workshop happens across Thanet, Herne Bay and Whitstable, and we visited the Corner Coffee House and Soft Play in Ramsgate at 10am Wednesday morning with a whole bunch of other little boys and girls willing to learn and meet new friends.

Run by Helen Weidner, she first came across “Sing and Sign baby signing classes when my eldest daughter, Ada, was 7 months old. I was looking to have some fun with my baby and meet some local mums. What we actually found was just that and more. An amazing experience; one which honestly changed our lives! She could tell us how she felt, what she wanted, what interested and amused her well before she could speak. At 8 months, after only signing with her for a month, she signed ‘bird’ in the park. She knew around 200 signs by 18 months so we could have basic conversations. Her social skills and temperament were also brilliantly developed by Sing and Sign as a baby: she started learning to take turns with Jessie Cat and signing removed the frustration of not being able to communicate such that the “terrible twos” never materialised! Now she is five, people comment on her advanced speech and understanding and they use the same signs at her school. We are now loving seeing those same benefits all over again with her little sister Beatrice.”

There are many benefits to using sign with children and we thought this could be a great way for our girls to start learning through practical experience. I can sign, well, that’s sort of true, I can sign my name and have through the years picked up a few sign signs but I would love to learn more, it’s just is this something I should do myself or with Emily?
Signing benefits include:
• Helping to understand your baby’s needs, thoughts and ideas
• Reducing frustration (for baby and parent!)
• Enhancing early vocabulary and understanding
• Encouraging the development of speech
• Enriching your baby’s relationships
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Stimulating your baby’s intellectual and emotional development