www.signingbabies.co.uk

KATJA O'NEILL, founder of Signing Babies

I first found out about the amazing benefits of using Signing with babies in 2003. About the same time, I was able to observe Sign Language interpreters at work and was convinced that this was something I wanted to learn about. In the first week, I taught myself about 100 signs and started to sign with my children (then 4 and 6) immediately. Signing opened up a new door to them and gave them the confidence to express himself better.
I then attended evening classes and have completed a course in Makaton and passed BSL Level 2.

There were no other Baby Signing classes in my area at the time and I wanted to share this great skill with local mums, so I started a class in Hatfield. Word spread rapidly and soon I began teaching in several locations throughout the county and training Nursery staff in the use of Baby Sign Language.
I became a qualified Sign2Me presenter for Hertfordshire, as I wanted to belong to a recognized organization. Their program, Sign with your Baby, is a worldwide, award winning baby signing program. Being their presenter means I have their full back-up and support as well as having the benefit of a worldwide net of presenters offering new ideas and inspiration which the mums in my classes can benefit from.
Sign2me will also ensure that their presenters are qualified in Sign Language and have a good knowledge of both child development and how signing can be incorporated in the early years with maximum benefit.

Signing Babies is the only 'Sign With Your Baby' class in Hertfordshire with these qualifications.

When I had my third baby, I signed with her from birth. The difference has been amazing! Being able to communicate with her from the age of 6 months old has shown me what potential our babies have, even at this young age. Caring for a baby who can sign from 6 months is a whole lot easier - I firmly believe every parent should try it - you don't know what you're missing out on!

Last Summer, Hannah started to get a taste for strawberries. She would come into the kitchen and ask for ‘bubbies’. That could have meant ‘Barbies’, Babies’, Bubbles’ or ‘Teletubbies’ – they all sounded very similar. But she was insistent she wanted them! I asked her to sign what it was she wanted and because I had shown her the sign for ‘strawberries’, she was able to show me! Without any further guesswork or temper tantrums I was able to meet her need.

Hannah is 2 1/2 now and I am amazed how she is still using her signs even though she talks well above her develpomental level. It's really lovely to have this special, beautiful language- and she is starting to communicate with Deaf people and their children as well.

I am delighted to have been asked to be a regular guest speaker at Hertfordshire Regional College and hope that this will help Baby Signing to become firmly embedded in the child care of the future.

My interest in sign language was born over 10 years ago when I used it to help my teaching of children with language difficulties. My work with British Sign Language continued when I qualified as a teacher of the Deaf and worked with Deaf children in Hertfordshire.

The arrival of my first child meant a break in my teaching career with the start of the challenging role of motherhood. I already knew of the benefits of using sign language to augment speech and understanding but was amazed at how soon it helped me to communicate with my baby daughter. At 9 months she was able to sign milk and by 20 months she had a sign vocabulary of over 30 signs. With the arrival of her sister she has enjoyed using sign laguage all over again. Both of my children have been to signing babies classes and we continue to use sign at home. Signing certainly doesn't stop with the onset of speech. It helps to clarify what they, and indeed I want to say. I will encourage them to use it as another 'hook' for their learning long into their school career.

Having enjoyed the benefits of sign language both in my teaching and with my own children, I am keen to share my experience and expertise with other parents and their babies in my Signing Babies classes in St Albans and Radlett.

PIPPA MARTIN- Instructor for Luton

Finding out at the age of 4 that I had lost most of the hearing in one ear sparked my interest in sign language. I was lucky enough to attend a school with a hearing impaired unit which ran basic signing classes for any interested students, and this was where I first learnt a few signs. Although I’ve not had many difficulties with my hearing it was a good introduction to how signing can work. In 2001 I decided that I should take this interest further, and I passed a BSL Level 1 course in 2002.

When I was pregnant I heard about baby signing, and thought it was a fantastic way of integrating a natural desire to communicate with the signs that had fascinated me as a child. Signing with my baby is an interesting experience, and one which I discover I take for granted so much when other people comment on his communication skills. It’s also amazing to watch him use these signs with other people and to be understood. I look forward to him using new signs, and am amazed how quickly he can pick these up now. It has certainly made motherhood more rewarding!

Now I want to share my knowledge and experience with other parents to help them give their babies the best start in life. I look forward to teaching for Signing Babies in Luton!