Babies taught the art of small talk

Classes that teach babies to communicate using sign language before they can talk are proving popular in Bingham.

Up to 30 babies and their parents attend the Tiny Talk classes, which use nursery rhymes and songs to teach useful words and phrases.

The signs, which have been modified to make it easier for young children, are based mainly on British Sign Language.

One of the first signs taught is milk, which is shown by curling the fingers into the hand to make a clenched fist — as if gripping a bottle.

Others include pain, duck, sun, flower, plane and bed.

Mrs Louise Middleton (36) of Main Street, Langar, attends the classes at Church House, East Street, Bingham, with her son Jack (14 months).

She said: “I saw the classes on television and thought it would help Jack communicate.

“I have seen how frustrated babies get trying to tell adults what they want and I thought it would help.

“Signing is a great skill to learn and it can help you to communicate with other children, perhaps who are deaf.”

She said Jack enjoyed the social aspect of the classes including singing and playing.

Jack made his first sign, milk, about five months after he started the classes.

Mrs Middleton said: “It was great. It is really rewarding.”

Jack can also make the sign for hot and Mrs Middleton said he understood others including biscuit and good boy when she did them.

Mrs Debbie Alcock (31) of Poplar Close, Bingham, takes her daughter Emily (51/2 months) to the classes.

She said: “The signing to nursery rhymes and music is brilliant and the social side is wonderful.

“You meet other mums and babies from Bingham and it is lovely to carry on what you have learned at home.”

Mrs Alcock said Emily was still young but she hoped it would not be too long before she made her first sign.

“She is looking much more interested and focusing a lot better,” she said.

“It is really valuable for babies to make themselves understood through rhymes and play before they can communicate.

“The classes were a life-line for me. They get you out of the house and it is lovely to make friends.

“We meet for coffee during the week.”

Mrs Esther Thornton (30) of Partridge Close, Bingham, and her daughter Ellie (51/2 months) attend the classes.

“I use the signs as actions in rhymes and am gradually starting to use them within our everyday routine,” she said.

“It helps her get used to being with other children, otherwise she would just be at home with me all day.

“She is so young she is not aware of it all but as she gets older I am hoping it will help her communicate what she wants or needs.”

The classes are run by Mrs Jen Stanbrook of West Bridgford.

Mrs Stanbrook, a former IT project manager, decided to set up a Tiny Talk franchise after the classes proved successful with her children Ella (3) and Ruby (1).

Mrs Stanbrook said teaching babies to sign reduced the frustration often felt by babies and their parents.

She said it gave babies confidence and self-esteem and enhanced the bond between them and their parents.

Mrs Stanbrook said it also helped the development of language and speech.

Classes are held in Bingham from 10am-11am and from 11.30am to 12.30pm every Monday.

There are also classes in Mapperley, Sherwood and West Bridgford.