Your Signing Stories.....
Thank you for all your touching stories.
It was SO hard to choose a winner but signing
mum Lizzie and little Isaac’s story had us all
laughing out loud and I hope you enjoy it too....
Isaac signing shark!
We hope that you enjoy your yummy Plum hamper Isaac.
Would you like to feature in our next newsletter AND be entered into our fantastic Relax Kids competition? Click on JJ to email us your lovely stories and pics and see our Relax Kids article for a Star prize!
Daddy
These wise words have been provided by; Adam Daddy of Babysigner Jasmine, and Paul Daddy of Babysigner Bella.
What made you decide to sign with your little one?
Because it bridges the communication barrier and our daughter could interact at a higher level than just smiling, giggling, crying etc.
Anything that can ease Bella’s frustration when I don’t understand her bleats and gurgles has got to be worth while.
What benefits do you think signing has brought to your family?
Our daughter used to be upset when either my wife or I left the room, we ‘taught’ her the toilet sign, showed her the toilet and made her understand that people come back from the toilet. So for some months later I was always off to the toilet (sign) when I went to work!
It’s been fun and also interesting to learn more about how babies communicate.
Do you have a favourite sign?
Not really but we still use the ‘Sharing’ sign to emphasise sharing an object, toy or book.
‘Hippo’ and ‘Farmer’ have been very useful for communicating with Bella!
Can you remember the first time that your baby signed to you and how did it make you feel?
It was the sign for milk and it made me go all soft and gooey on the inside because she was able to say she needed something rather than screaming or crying.
It’s still early days yet but after a few weeks I’m impressed that she optimistically opens her mouth when we make the milk sign.
Do you have some words of encouragement for other signing Dads out there?
GO DO IT! Be involved you will not regret it and it will strengthen the bond between you and your child. You don’t have to go to the classes with them, as in my case I was at work, so every evening when my wife and daughter had gone to classes I would ask what signs they had learnt. It was great for me to pick up on signs and it gave good practice from the lesson earlier in the day.
Don’t worry about looking daft signing is better than the silly faces babies make you pull.
I’d love to hear your signing stories, ideas and comments.....
Email JJ
Our family are Relax Kids addicts, but for those parents who haven’t discovered it yet perhaps you could tell us what it is all about and how it got started.
I was a children's entertainer for 13 years in London. Over that time I saw a change in children's behaviour and their inability to sit still and concentrate. Having practised meditation with my mother as a child, I wondered if meditation and relaxation could help all children. I wanted to make it accessible and so I had the idea to write a book of meditations using fairy stories. Children could imagine they were Jack climbing the Beanstalk and floating in the clouds or Sleeping Beauty on a bed of feathers. Great results were seen by both parents and teachers and so I went on to write and produce a range of 13 CDs, a relaxation class for children and I now train people to run relax kids classes all over the country.
How does it work?
In a class we start by dancing and stretching and then practice breathing and massaging each other. After that we lie on the floor and practice our visualisations.
Children can listen to the CDs at bedtime or spend a quiet 3 mins when they come home from school, or the family could relax together in a Chill Out corner. Just a few moments relaxation can help children's concentration, confidence as well as help them sleep. Parents have also noticed that their children's behaviour improves and they are more able to cope with stress and anxiety. It really is so simple to do and if a family can relax together that is even better as it is a way to de-stress and spend some quality time together.
Who is Relax Kids aimed at?
Relax Kids is for children of all ages. There are fairytale CDs and books for younger children. We also have a Chill Skills range for children over 7 and are currently working on a Stress Busters CD for teens.
What age can children use Relax Kids from?
We have had babies as young as 6 months fall asleep to the relaxing voice and music. Usually children from 3 are able to listen and appreciate the mediations.
Can you share a little meditation for our readers to use with their little ones?
Here is one for very little children.......
Wiggle your right foot. Relax the big toe, and all the other toes. Say goodnight right foot.
Wiggle your left foot. Relax the big toe, and all the other toes. Say goodnight left foot.
Wiggle your right leg and relax it and say goodnight right leg. Wiggle your left leg and relax it and say goodnight left leg.
Wiggle your back and relax it and say goodnight back. Shake your shoulders and stop and relax them. Say goodnight shoulders.
Nod and shake your head. Stop and relax your head.
Open your eyes wide and now close them. Open your mouth wide and yawn and now close it. Say goodnight head. Goodnight ears, goodnight mouth, goodnight nose, goodnight eyes.
Breathe in and breathe out and relax and feel your whole body going to sleep.
Lovely, thanks Marneta, where can we get hold of these wonderful products?
You can buy them from www.relaxkids.com
I would also like to mention that you can get lots of free articles and exercises to try at home from our website library. We also produce a monthly magazine full of exercises and articles. www.relaxkids.com/magazine You can get a free mp3 download from the website too.
Don’t miss out! Click on JJ and sign up to the Babysigners newsletter......
How long have you been with Babysigners?
I have been working with Babysigners for almost 4 years now! It is a wonderful job. I love meeting new families, and then finding out how they get on with signing - often they keep in touch letting me know their baby's signing progress! Every class is as unique as the babies who come to them!
What is the best thing about signing?
Having your baby sign to you for the
first time - each sign they then use is
wonderful! It is wonderful to have this
insight into their world and what they
notice.
Sarah’s daughter Abigail signs ‘Eat’
What is your favourite nursery rhyme?
Twinkle twinkle - it was my daughter's favourite song and 'star' was one of the first few signs she used!
What sign do you recommend that we all try this summer?
Duck - when your at the park! Don't forget to "quack" at the same time!!
Beach or Park?
Definitely the beach - although on a Spring or Autumn day!
Do you have a favourite signing activity that you like to do with your little ones?
I love to look at books with my daughters - signing the animals or activities on each page. My 15 month old loves to learn new signs and will run off to show Daddy the new sign whilst holding the page of the book open!
One of Sarah’s fun filled class!
Dear Emma.....
Dear Emma - can you help?
There are so many signs to choose from and I really
don’t know where to start with introducing them
to my 6 month old. What do you suggest?
Sam (Mum to Claudia)
Hi Sam, I know it can be a little confusing with so much choice but I think the best thing to do would be to start with a few simple key signs i.e. Milk, Eat & Drink. There are plenty of opportunities throughout the day to use these signs and repetition is the key to success.
You could also chose one special sign for your baby’s favourite activity or toy, if you sign the things that are really important to your baby they are likely to pick it up more quickly because they will be more motivated.
Try these for a couple of weeks and then when you are feeling confident you can start adding a few more signs a bit at a time. Before you know it your hands will constantly be on the go and so too will Claudia’s.
I wish you both many happy signing moments together.
Best wishes
Emma x
Babysigners founder Emma answers your questions
Sign of the Month....
Here’s my good buddy Max enjoying himself on holiday and look at the fantastic sandcastle he has made!
Sandcastle
Competition!
Win a copy of Shining Stars !
Relax Kids have kindly given Babysigners 4 copies of their gorgeous CD Shining Stars. So to enter click on JJ and send us your baby signing stories, pictures or a video of your little one signing!
Good Luck!
Competition Details
HQ address: Babysigners 27 High Park Av, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 8PE
Closing Date: Monday 14th September. No purchase is necessary. Prizes are as stated and there are no cash alternatives.
All entries must include the following information: Full name, address, and telephone number of parent. Name and age of baby(s).
All entries will be sent to Babysigners HQ where they will be reviewed and the winner and runners up selected by Emma Finlay-Smith. Names of winner and runners up plus stories will be published in the May edition of the Babysigners newsletter. Information relating to address and telephone number will not be published.
Babysigners would like to request the use of stories and relevant photos for use on their website, in newsletters and for possible future promotional material. Please state on your entry if you do not wish Babysigners to do this.
Baby Show updates..........
The Babysigners’ teachers have been busy preparing their handouts, exercising their vocal chords and practising their hand puppet techniques. All in order to welcome you, give information on baby signing and it’s benefits, and coo over your delicious babies at baby shows over the country. Here are updates from both The Scottish Baby Show, and Bump2Baby Exeter.
Please change my Nappy!
Babysigner Emily-Kate, 6 months perfectly
demonstrating our sign for change nappy!
If any of you are thinking of “changing” the nappies that you use why not check out Little Green Earthlets for information. They offer a wide range of eco-friendly baby products from Mother-ease cloth nappies and Moltex eco disposables, to pure natural and organic Mother and Baby skincare.
To help them celebrate their 10th Anniversary they have given our readers a
10% off promotional code to be used on any lovely goodies of your choice. To grab a bargain click on the logo below.
Promotion Details
Promotion Code BSIGN9
Code will be valid until 1st September 2009
Babysigners in Scotland launched themselves at The Scottish Baby Show 2009, which was held at Glasgow SECC back in April. Our two Scottish teachers Ruth and Kerry were there…….
Kerry, Ruth and Max putting on a wonderful show!
We were both very excited, but at the same time very nervous as it was the first time we had done anything like this. It was a three day event and our aim was to get the Babysigners name out there and make people aware of the benefits of baby signing.
Of course there wouldn’t be a stall without our friendly class buddy Max and lots of his little animal friends. We got to meet lots of gorgeous babies and their Mummies, Daddies and even a few Gran and Grampa’s too! Everyone was so intrigued to find out more information and how signing actually works and what Babysigners could offer. Max charmed the whole arena and everyone was desperate to come and meet him and touch his hair. Max just loved playing peekaboo with the little ones while the Mummies found out all about Babysigners and where their nearest class was held.
Currently, we only cover Ayrshire and West Lothian in Scotland and so many people were interested in buying the fabulous Babysigners book with DVD, which showed how easily the signs could be done. There were lots of blooming soon-to-be Mummies who just couldn’t wait for the stork to arrive and they were so eager to start signing right away they even bought some books too.
It was a really positive event and we will definitely be back next year - maybe a few other teachers might be on board then too!!
Meanwhile at the other end of the country in Exeter, Babysigners were at the Bump2Baby Show at Westpoint. Our two West Country teachers Rachel and Lisa were there…….
A massive hello to everyone who we met at the show! We had a fantastic time chatting on the stand about all things Babysigners, getting to know you in the seminar area and signing with you on stage. Max had lots and lots of fun signing, playing peek-a-boo, giving stickers and chasing bubbles around the stand with his new friends. He even got to perform with Noddy and Tessie Bear when they joined us for a signing session on the big stage!
For those of you who entered our prize draw here is the result…..
Congratulations to Vanessa Kirk from Exeter!
A copy of the Babysigners ‘Complete Guide to Baby Signing’ is on its way to you!
We met lots of bumps and new parents looking for classes in those areas where there are no regular Babysigners sessions so a list of workshops will be appearing soon and we will keep you posted. Happy Signing!
Lisa signing Incy Wincy on stage - with special guests Noddy and Tessie Bear!
The shows received huge interest from those of you looking at the idea of joining us and running your own Babysigners classes. We look forward to seeing new additions to the Babysigners family very soon and for those of you who would like to know more click on the logo below.........
Become a Teacher
A Babysigners teacher...wants to make a real difference
A Babysigners teacher...has time for family
A Babysigners teacher...could be you!
