Baby sign language classes launched at Bowburn Clever Clogs
Posted: (l dS F)A fledging North East nursery chain has reacted to the growing popularity of baby sign language by launching a new class at its newly acquired nursery in Durham.
Clever Clogs Day Nurseries has successfully been running baby sign language classes with British Sign Language teacher Carol Davies for five years at its flagship nursery in Belmont Durham, and is now looking to add a class at Bowburn to its regular events.
Set to be held every Tuesday at 10am the hour-long Tiny Talk class will encourage babies and toddlers to develop early communication skills through easy to understand signs. There will be a free taster introduction class on Tuesday 7 June at 10am at Bowburn Clever Clogs Nursery for those who wish to sample the classes. In addition, Carol will be hosting a sample sessions at Clever Clogs Bowburn’s family fun day on Sunday 19 June.
The interactive sessions use music, toys and puppets to teach children and parents simple signs which help children communicate from an earlier age.
As a mother of three and born with hearing difficulties herself, Tiny Talk teacher Carol Davies knows just how important early communication with children is. Carol said: “Because vocal cords don’t develop until children are around 12 -18 months, Tiny Talk can really help with pre-verbal communication between babies and their parents which leads to long-term improved communication skills.
“We all know how frustrating it can be when a baby is crying and you don’t know why, so by teaching babies simple signs such as milk, eat, sleep and play you are able to have two way communications with them at a much earlier age and understanding what your child wants can be a huge relief to parents.
“Contrary to some claims baby sign language actually helps babies develop their verbal communication skills at an earlier stage – if they see they can get results from interacting with their parents at an early age most will learn to speak earlier than they would without the classes and they will naturally drop the signs as their verbal skills develop.”
While studying for her stage 1 British Sign Language exam, Carol found her young children had picked up some of the signs she had been practicing around the house and were using them to ask her for food and drink. Amazed by their resourcefulness Carol set about researching baby sign language before coming across Tiny Talk – the UK’s biggest baby signing classes organisation. Following extensive training, Carol set up her own franchise of the company in 2007, making her one of the most established trainers in the Durham area.
Andrea Townsley founder of Clever Clogs Day Nursery said: “I first met Carol when I took my daughter Lexie to one of her Tiny Talk classes. At the time I was building my first nursery in Belmont and having seen firsthand how much myself and Lexie and other families were enjoying and benefitting from the class I asked Carol to host a class for me once Belmont was open. We now have two classes on a Friday between 9.30-10.30am and 11am-12pm. The classes are proving so successful that we decided to see if an additional class at Bowburn will help to meet demand.”
To find out more about Clever Clogs Nurseries’ Tiny Talk classes, family fun day or to register for the free introductory class please call Bowburn Clever Clogs on: 0191 377 9192.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
Clever Clogs Nurseries were founded by Andrea Townsley in 2007 and provide child care for 0-5 year olds as well as out of school places for children up to 11. As well as a flagship nursery in Belmont, Durham, Andrea has recently invested £0.5milion in the acquisition of two new nurseries in Bowburn, Durham and Hartlepool.
Clever Clogs Nurseries also run school holiday clubs for children under 11 and provide collection and pick up services.
Clever Clogs Nurseries have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which are all in accordance with the Department for Education and Skills Welfare Requirements and are inspected by Ofsted.
