Baby Signing and the benefits

This week's topic was 'My Furry Friends', all children love to mimic animal sounds, so we sing and sign to 'Old McDonald', 'How much is that Doggy?' and bonded over 'This little piggy..'. It's such a fun session and now that a couple of the older ones are signing along too the parents of younger babies can see the benefits too.

The intellectual benefits of baby signing are:-

1. It increases the speed of the development of verbal language and vocabulary
2. It reinforces the use of verbal language.
3. Promotes language learning through concept.
4. Reinforces a child’s communication attempts.
5. Promotes early literacy.
6. Increases interests in books.
7. Promotes the early use of complex sentences.

Baby sign benefits extend to children over 3 years old also. Older children who used Baby Sign Language as infants and toddlers have better verbal and reading skills. Many parents use books along with teaching sign language. When you point to a picture and then show the sign for the word, both reading and communication skills are improved. Vocabulary is developed earlier and grows faster. The kinesthetic elements of signing reinforce verbal skills.

You can actually teach an infant Baby Sign Language, and it will promote the use of speech sooner rather than later. Language is conceptual. You have to be able to picture an item and relate a word to the picture in your mind. When a child learns how language works by using Baby Sign Language, it is only natural the baby will attempt to use the actual word as soon as possible. The fear that baby signing slows the development of speech is ungrounded. In fact, the opposite is true.

There are many intellectual benefits of using Baby Sign Language. An infant learning baby signing results in the early development of literacy and verbal skills. If you want to teach your infant how to communicate 1-2 years earlier, while developing intellectual abilities, Baby Sign Language is a key tool.
(taken from http://www.babies-and-sign-language.com/baby-signs-intellectual-benefits.html)

If you are sceptical about Baby Signing come along to a class and see the results. You will be amazed! From a personal front, Luke was signing from 5 months, his first signs were dog and milk. He now speaks in full clear sentences and his memory is second to none, he is not quite 3 but everyone comments on how advanced his vocabulary is.
Watch the video of 13 month old Rowan, what a clever girl! I am so proud how many signs she has and how much she can communicate with her parents at such a young age.

Just another Manic Monday

Monday mornings are mostly spent at home with Luke. This morning I made 3 batches of homemade Playdough for the 'Nantwich Baby Group' tomorrow. Its so easy and probably a lot cheaper than the shop bought play dough. I will post the recipe on here when I remember!

In the afternoon I take Luke with me to the Tippy Toes Class at the Children's centre, Nantwich. He used to be so easy to take to classes when I first started, but as he's gotten older, its been more difficult as he realises he now has to share his mummy with lots of other babies & toddlers. A healthy snack and a treat usually does the trick! I have been lucky to be able to start a business and not pay for childcare so I'm grateful for that.

We had 13 children at the Tippy Toes class, it was very lively and I'm certain they will all sleep well tonight. I noticed about 4 of the mums were expecting again with their 2nd child. I think they're all very brave!!

Monday 29th March will be my last class at the Children's centre, but they have kindly helped to find me a room at the Wyche School which is next door to the Centre. I will be starting classes there after Easter so anyone wishing to take a place please contact me on 07973 479471.

British Weather

I start nice and early on a Saturday morning, Tippy Toes Toddler dance class takes place at Pear Tree School, Nantwich at 9.15am. It always amazes me at how many dads we have at this class bonding over a boogie.

Then after a quick change and swapping all the dance equipment to facepainting equipment, I was off to the Family Fun Day at Rope Green Farm Nursery. After a week of sunshine, Saturday took a turn for the worse. When I arrived at 11am, I was pleased to see so many dedicated families, despite the rain. Some were even on the bouncy castle! The staff stood at various tombola stalls under umbrellas and kept spirits up, a couple of children even had their faces painted. I was only able to stay for an hour in which time the rain did clear away for a short while. What a shame after all the effort but I hope the press managed to get some good publicity shots of the Cheshire East mayor Cllr Margaret Simon and MP, Mr Edward Timpson.

After Luke's lunchtime nap, we were off to Haslington Playbarn again for the second time this week. This time we met Gwen & Chloe and Frankie & Rawdon. Us mummies met at the Aquanatal class held at Nantwich Swimming baths when we were pregnant. It is a gentle exercise class in the water suitable for pregnant ladies from 16 weeks. It was a nice way to compare notes and chat about our fears of becoming first time parents. I'm glad we've stayed in touch and remained friends.

Being part of a Baby Cafe & Post Natal Group was very important to me, especially in the early days. I love to meet new people and share experiences, I was given lots of useful advice and hope I managed to pass on my own words of wisdom too. My Baby Sign class is held at 'Nantwich Baby Group' which is a local group set up by first time mums, Alison & Toni. Its a friendly group and only costs a £1 to go towards the hire of the hall. It is held at Market Street Church Hall from 10.30am till 12pm.

For more details go to www.nantwichbabygroup.org

Best of both worlds

This morning was a very lively Tippy Toes Toddler Dance class at the Wesley Centre in Sandbach. I introduced a new dance today which was 'Bob the Builder's, Big Fish Little Fish Cardboard Box' I don't know who was having more fun, me or the toddlers. Each session covers a number of different dances and the children learn to appreciate music & rhythm. We use props such as scarves, hoops, ribbons, toys and books. Its such a fun class and I love teaching it.

I collected Luke from his Nannie's house to learn that he had cried for me for nearly an hour when I'd dropped him off. He is a real mummy's boy and in his nearly 3 years has coped well having to share me with other babies but now he is starting to rebel! I now dedicate my time to him for 'Luke and Mummy Time' and this afternoon was just what we did at Haslington Playbarn. We played with cousin, Baby Alicia (as Luke calls her, but she has just turned 1) and lots of other playmates from past and current classes. We had a lovely time catching up and eating cake!

Haslington Playbarn is next to the Cricket Club in Clay Lane. It is a small indoor play area with ball pool and slides. It is free entry for adults and children under 18 months. They do not restrict your time there and we played for a good 2 hours. Luke was shattered by the time we got home and so was I!

OUTSTANDING Nursery

Wednesday 17th March was my first Baby Sign session with Rope Green Farm Day Nursery. I will be teaching the staff to communicate with the babies in their care using Sign language. Each week, the parents will receive a copy of the signs learned so they can practice at home with their babies. The staff were all lovely and friendly and we managed to keep most of the babies amused for the 30 minutes.

Rope Green Farm Day Nursery is a private day nursery in Shavington (opposite Shavington High School) and is set within a working diary farm. They only opened in October 2009 and in their first Ofsted inspectin they received outstanding in all areas and outstanding overall. Nationally, they are the first private nursery to receive this in all areas.

To celebrate their achievement, they are holding a 'Family Fun Day' on Saturday 20th March 11am till 3pm. There will be stalls, tractor rides, easter egg hunt, bouncy castle, raffles, fun family games and face painting (offered by yours truly!)

Its free entry so go along and join in the fun and have a look at what this lovely nursery has to offer. Vicky Dodd is the founder and will be on hand to answer any queries on the day.

http://www.ropegreenfarmdaynursery.com/index.html

The Sun has got his hat on, hip hip hip hooray!

This weeks topic for the Baby Sign class in Nantwich was 'Family'. Each week we focus on 10 signs to practice at home. It was lovely to have such a good turn out and I'm so proud when the older babies sign along to certain songs. It is held at Market Street Church Hall in Nantwich at 11am. The cost is £3 and includes a play and a cuppa.

The nice weather certainly gets people out and that was apparent when I went to feed the ducks with Luke after I'd picked him up from nursery. I regret ever getting him excited about seeing the ice cream van because now when he sees one he wants one! I didn't succumb today and bribed him with the play area on Brookfield. Bribery works so well with toddlers!

Tomorrow is my first day with a new nursery, Rope Green Day Nursery in Shavington. This is a lovely new nursery built on farm land run by Vicky Dodd. They have booked me to do Baby Sign sessions every other Wednesday so will keep me busy for the next few months.

If you wish to know more about Baby Sign and how it helps with development of speech, please visit my website www.hullabalookids.co.uk and read the testimonials for yourself.

Introducing Nantwich's new blogger

Hi,

I've read many other blogs and thought it was about time I did this myself. Its a great way of sharing experiences and telling people what I do. I spend my life on Facebook updating my status so thought this is a much better way to document my life!

For many local mums, most people know that I run Baby Sign & Toddler Dance classes but I have recently ventured into the Professional Facepainting route and do Kids entertainment and parties.

Aside from my business, I'm also mummy to a 'spirited' toddler, Luke who is 3 in April. I have so many lovely stories I long to share and would love to hear yours too.

Happy Reading!

Sharon