A sign for Gruffalo….

The Gruffalo is a book that nearly every child will be familiar with – and if it hasn’t made it to your collection yet, it no doubt will in the near future!

I’ve been meaning to post this blog for a while – but I am sure you know how it is with small children and a new baby; sleep becomes a little bit more important.  But the sun is shining today and my little ones are on a playdate so I have some time to dedicate to this – hooray!

Our wonderful teacher Carole has an equally amazing little boy called George. And George decided a couple of years ago that a sign was very definitely needed for The Gruffalo – so he made one up!

We described it to Cath Smith ( the UK’s leading Early Years BSL author) who we work with closely and she kindly made George’s sign into a sign graphic.

British Sign Language Graphic for GRUFFALO
copyright Little Signers Club 2010-2012
graphic copyright Cath Smith from the Lets Sign series

HOW TO SIGN GRUFFALO

Fingerspell G followed by sign for devil; index and little finger are extended from a closed hand, palm forward and tap twice on forehead

We really hope you enjoy using this sign with your little ones!  You are very welcome to perpetuate the sign but please ensure that the copyright information is included.

“Thanks so much for bringing The Gruffalo alive for our children and young people for World Book Day. I’ve had nothing but positive feedback including that it was great fun and it was good inspiration for how stories could be introduced in literacy sessions.”

Signing MILK – non-verbal cues your baby is hungry

MILK is very probably one of the first signs that you will start using with your baby and possibly from a very young age.  I have a newborn son – well not quite so new anymore, he will be 11 weeks tomorrow! – and as an experienced mum and signer, I have been introducing him to 3 basic signs already – MILK, NAPPY CHANGE and BATH.  I am absolutely not expecting him to sign for a while yet but I can tell by his body language, smiles and attention that he recognises the signs with the words and what that means for him.

Already he becomes calmer because he understands that I have recognised his needs and knows that I will be attending to them.

It can be really hard to recognise your baby’s needs and to know when to start introducing signing to your new baby. We’d normally recommend starting to sign with your baby once they can clap, point and wave as this means that their gross motor skills are sufficiently developed to start signing for themselves BUT babies understand and recognise sign much earlier than this.  Below are a few things to look for to see if you baby is hungry – and a great time to start using the MILK sign before tears set in; crying is a last resort.

If you’re new to mothering and are unsure of how to read your baby’s pre-cry cues for hunger, look for the following signs:

• making sucking sounds or little sucking motions
• sucking on her hands
• snuggling or rooting at the breast - increased alertness or activity
• making rooting motions
• clenching his fists by his face
• brushing a hand across her face
• putting her fist in her mouth

Used with kind permission of Veronika Robinson, The Mother Magazine and Author of The Drinks Are On Me.

READ our blog post about how to sign milk;  EXPLORING FIRST SIGNS; MILK

Great Giveaways! WIN tickets to the BabyCalm Conference

We’re delighted to have been given 2 tickets worth £99 each for 2 very lucky people to attend the BabyCalm conference next weekend.

BabyCalmTM are proud to present their first conference, focussing on the newborn period from the point of view of the mother, the father, the baby and the child the baby will become.

Sunday May 20th 2012.  9am – 5:30pm. 

Holiday Inn Hotel - Regent’s Park, London

We will be studying how this critical period can shape the psychological and physical health of the new baby as well as have a profound effect on the lives of the mother and father and their subsequent relationship with each other. We will study the psychology of communication, bonding and breastfeeding and consider research into the impact of the beginnings of life upon the personality of the future child.

The BabyCalmTM conference will be an exciting and informative day for all those involved with new families including BabyCalmTM teachers, Antenatal Teachers, Doulas, Midwives, Health Visitors and those who run other baby classes as well as providing an opportunity to meet and network with those involved in a similar field of work.

Michel Odent

Michel Odent has been in charge of the surgical unit and the maternity unit at the Pithiviers state hospital (1962-1985) and is the founder of the Primal Health Research Centre (London). He introduced in the 1970s the concepts of home-like birthing rooms and birthing pools in maternity hospitals. He is the author of the first article in the medical literature about the use of birthing pools (Lancet 1983), of the first article about the initiation of lactation during the hour following birth, and of the first article applying the “Gate Control Theory of Pain” to obstetrics. He created the Primal Health Research database and the website www.wombecology.com. Author of 12 books published in 22 languages.

Naomi Stadlen

Naomi Stadlen is a psychotherapist and mother of three. Naomi has run the weekly discussion group “Mothers Talking” in London for more than twenty one years. Naomi’s first book “What Mothers Do” resonates with mothers everywhere and was described by the Guardian as “The best book on parenting”. Naomi has a perceptive insight into the relationships of new mothers with their babies. Her second book, “How Mothers Love”, has now been published..

Patrick Houser

Patrick M Houser is a grandfather and father of 2 sons. It was the birth of his first son which revealed to him the need to understand birth more fully. Patrick’s second son’s arrival, in 1980, was the first documented waterbirth in the USA. This has informed his life’s work and led him to nearly 25 years of passionate advocacy for birth choices. He has a degree in marketing, has owned a natural health centre and for 10 years ran his construction firm in Austin, Texas. He is the director of The Source Foundation International a UK reg. charity,  promoting health and choice from  preconception to birth and throughout life. Patrick is also a speaker, writes articles and is the author of the Fathers-To-Be Handbook, published in the UK and now available in a USA edition as well. Patrick is the founder of http://www.fatherstobe.org.

Oliver James

Oliver James trained and practised as a clinical child psychologist and, since 1988, has worked as a writer, journalist, broadcaster and television documentary producer and presenter. His books include the best-selling ”They F*** You Up”  and the controversial  parenting book “How not to F*** Them Up”. Oliver is a columnist for the Guardian Newspaper and is latterly more famous for his exchanges with Gina Ford concerning the dangers of baby training. Oliver lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and two small children

Shelley Ensor

Shelley Ensor, founder of Little Signers Club, talks about the growing popularity of baby signing as an aid for communication development. A mum of three, she has seen thousands of parents and their babies through her classes. Having witnessed the detrimental effects of poor attachment and bonding, Shelley has a particular interest in how using signing can aid parental and child interactions and especially how the use of signing reduces distress in young babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. A proponent of attachment parenting, Shelley also takes a keen interest in other related pedagogy’s such as Steiner and Pikler (RIE) concerning the unhurried and natural development of the young child.

http://www.babycalm.co.uk/conference/info_22.html

for tickets please see:

http://babycalmconference-estw.eventbrite.com/

HOW TO ENTER

Simply comment on the blog or on our Facebook link and we’ll enter everyone into a random draw.  (Full competition Ts & C’s on our website) – Competition closes Tuesday 15th May 2012 at Midnight BST and tickets will be issued directly by BabyCalm - GOOD LUCK and I hope to meet you there!

All You Need to Know About…… Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for babies and children

In our classes we frequently discuss other topics of interest to our parents. Over the next few weeks we’ve invited in various guest bloggers and friends to let us know more about some of these topics and to give you a point of reference.

Tamara Donn is an EFT practitioner specialising in mothering issues; we are delighted to welcome her along this week to tell us more about Emotional Freedom Technique and how it can help babies, children and parents too! 

As we sat on by the edge of the swimming pool, my daughter, age 6, was shivering and scared of her imminent swimming lesson.   I was feeling slightly helpless and struggling to find yet another helpful suggestion for her.  I’d exhausted statements such as “I can see you are scared.  It’s going to be OK – you know the teacher and she will go at your pace”, “You’ll feel better when you are in the water”, “its only half an hour”, “you’ll be able to swim when we go on holiday” or the even less helpful “I’ve paid for it so you have to do it”!!!

Then I remembered EFT (Emotional Healing Techniques)/ Tapping.  So I took her hand and gently started tapping on her.  Within a few minutes she took a deep sigh and said “I’m ready now mummy!”  What would I do without such a powerful  tool.  That was 6 years ago.  I loved the technique so much, I trained in EFT and now support other mothers and pregnant women with issues relating to parenting issues.

Here is a short and incomplete list of some of the things EFT could help with in the realm of parenting:

• Trying to conceive
• Pregnancy fears, morning sickness
• During labour for pain and anxiety
• Crying, sleeping and feeding issues
• Birth trauma
• Post-natal depression
• Tantrums
• Anxiety about school
• Bullying
• And pretty much anything else you can think of!!!

So what is EFT?

EFT is a powerful self-healing tool that is safe and easy to learn – even for little ones – with often fast results.  It is like acupuncture without needles  for emotions.  You can use it on yourself, your children/ family or go to a practitioner for more complex issues.  EFT is like acupuncture for the mind, body and spirit without using needles but tapping on the acupoints instead while saying various phrases.  The theory behind EFT is that all negative emotions are disruption in the body’s energy system tapping the acupoints smoothes the energy to flow freely again.  Imagine a water hosepipe that is twisted.  The water will not be able to flow through but untwisting the hosepipe (which is what EFT does) allows water to flow again.

How do I do EFT?

Using the example I gave above, here is what I said to my daughter at the swimming pool.

Before you try it, familiarise yourself with the points in the diagram.  Don’t worry about getting it too precise.  EFT is very forgiving.  Try it and see!

EFT Tapping Points

Step 1:

Repeat step 1 three times

Tap on the side of the hand on the Karate Chop point (KC) and repeat the following:

“Even though you are cold and scared of swimming, you are OK”

Step 2:

Repeat step 2 twice.

Tap on each of the points (about 7 times) in sequence saying the following at each point

Tap on point 1 (Inside eyebrow) and say “cold”

Tap on point 2 (Outside of eye socket) and say “scared”

Tap on point 3 (Under eye) and say “don’t want to go swimming”

Tap on point 4 (Under nose) and say “cold”

Tap on point 5 (Chin) and say “scared”

Tap on point 6 (Collarbone – use a fist but be gentle) and say “don’t want to go swimming”

Tap on point 7 (Under arm on bra line for women or parallel to nipple) and say “cold”

Tap on point 8 (Top of head) and say “scared”

Here are some other example:

For an exhausted parent:
Step 1: “Even though I’m so exhausted, my baby won’t sleep and I can’t sleep, I deeply and completely accept myself”
Step 2: “exhausted”, “can’t cope”, “can’t sleep”, “baby can’t sleep”,…

For a crying baby (tapping very very gently):
Step 1: “Even though you are crying, maybe you are hurting, maybe you are scared, you are safe here with me”
Step 2: “crying”, “sad”, “tears”, “hurting”, “scared”, “you are safe”,…

For a child who is scared of saying goodbye ate nursery:
Step 1: “Even though you don’t want me to leave, you wish we could be together forever, you are OK”
Step 2: “scared”, “want me to stay”, “don’t want to say bye bye”, “want to go home”,…

To download a free EFT manual so you can get started today, go here:  http://www.eftforwomen.co.uk/free-eft-manual.html

For more details go you http://www.eftforwomen.co.uk/ or call 01923 260050.  One-to-one sessions available in person in Kings Langley, or by phone or skype.  Workshops in Kings Langley and London.

Why Sign? Give your baby a head start with communication

At just 6 months old, a baby’s motor skills are sufficiently developed to make simple gestures, enabling them to bridge the communication gap and show their parents what they need.  To put this into perspective, at 12-15 months babies will only have around ten words – most of which will be unclear leading to frustrating periods for toddlers as they try to communicate using their just-developing speech.

“Who wouldn’t want their child to be the first amongst their peers to be communicating, to be the most chilled out, to be happier, to have a real head-start?” Ben, baby signing Daddy to Fin

Finn signing Eat

Studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of stress in babies under 36 months and using signing can so easily be used as a tool to relieve that.

The most popular misconception that we come across is the belief that baby signing delays speech.  This couldn’t be further from the truth and the evidence clearly shows that signing babies have more words and more complex speech at an earlier age – if signing is done correctly. The benefits of learning to sign continue well into childhood, with studies showing signing children being significantly ahead of non signing children at aged 8 (Acredolo and Goodwyn 2000).

In fact, the benefits of signing do not end when speech begins. As babies become toddlers, there is even more need for signing as frustration really manifests itself at this difficult transition age; signing is particularly beneficial from 12 months onwards as it’s been suggested that up to 90% of toddler tantrums are linked to their need to eat, drink, sleep or receive comfort or help.  These are very easy signs to implement and use at this critical age, restoring calm for everyone and enhancing bonding.

Amelie signing Milk

Signing is a wonderful way to communicate with your baby much sooner than you could without it. What you do with that communication is up to you – for us, our children and countless families attending Little Signers Club classes it has made all the difference in the world.

Baby signing is a fun, simple concept that engages your baby and enhances your bond with your child.

 

Nursery Rhyme and Sign; Wind the Bobbin Up Lyrics

Wind the Bobbin Up is one of the most popular searches for our blog – lots of people would like to know the lyrics so we thought we’d pop them up for you  - here goes!

Wind the Bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull, Pull
Clap, Clap, Clap

Wind it back again
Wind it back again
Pull, Pull
Clap, Clap, Clap

Point to the ceiling
Point to the floor
Point to the window
Point to the door
Clap your hands together 1,2,3
Put your hands upon your knee

This lovely traditional nursery rhyme is great for developing gross motor skills and engaging with your baby.  Its one of our favourites!

You can also find it in our lovely compilation Nursery Rhyme CD, Signing Hands; Nursery Rhyme and Sign available through Little Learner Books.

Becoming a Teacher with Little Signers Club – Case Study with Bethan, Bristol

Why you joined Little Signers Club:

I loved signing with my little girl and when I had baby number 2 and returning to my old job became unfeasible I pursued signing as an alternative career. I researched the different companies in the area who were doing this sort of thing and went with Little Signers Club. LSC was the most sensible decision financially in terms of training, fees, and forward costs. But that aside Shelley and Louise gave me confidence in them and that I would be able to make a go of it. (Much more so than some of the others who wanted me to sing down the phone!)

Classes that you offer:

I have just started classes. At the moment I am running Baby Signing Basics courses in Bishopston, Redland (both Bristol City) and Portishead (outside Bristol).  I charge £45 per family for the 6 weeks and have had a few comments that this is very reasonable.

What do you enjoy the most about teaching signing?

Wow! It has been so wonderful to be excited to go to ‘work’! I know there will be rubbish weeks when I’m poorly or tired or just being miserable. But, generally feeling happy about a working day ahead…you’re on to a winner in my book! I love the response from the babies when (even) I start singing and thus far (I know so green) but have had relatively enthusiastic parents who seem to have enjoyed the class. My first experience of some rude mums was fairly easily managed with advice!

What has been the most rewarding part of your work?

Being so new to this, my biggest AHA moment would be realising at the end of the first day, having done two classes, that I’d made the right decision to leave my previous job and do signing.

But my other one would be at the very first taster session I did, I sang “Its time to learn to sign with me” and a little boy of 9 months plonked himself right in front of me and started signing back, accurately doing the ‘sign’ sign! It gave me a real confidence boost and was a brilliant advert, they all signed up to the course!

For more information about becoming an Entry Level Teacher or Licensed Teacher with us, please email Louise – teachers@littlesignersclub.co.uk

Great Giveaways! Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

We’ve been having a chat about our favourite story books on our Facebook site this week and without doubt, Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell has got to be one of everyone’s favorites!

A wonderful picture book with flaps to lift and lots of colourful zoo animals to find!  Meet the grumpy camel and the very jumpy monkey…. the elephant that is too heavy and the giraffe that is too too tall!  Will a perfect pet ever be found??

We simply love to sign along to this book and its a great favourite with little ones as well who will choose it time and again – well into the pre-school years.

We’ve love it so much that we decided to have a giveaway!  

We’ve got a 21 x 21 cm copy of Dear Zoo to win.

 Simply comment on the blog or on our Facebook link and we’ll enter everyone into a random draw.  (Full competition Ts & C’s on our website) – Competition closes Monday 30th April 2012 at Midnight BST - GOOD LUCK!

Sign ‘Please’… Sign ‘Thank You’….

Two of the most requested signs in our classes are ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’. Yes, really.

Most recently I observed a comment that stated a resource was not very good because it “didn’t even have the signs for please and thank you”.

It’s a tricky one for us as teachers; babies are not generally speaking, may be babbling and have some limited gross motor skill co-ordination.  Our priority, as teachers, is to make sure that you, as parents, have the tools to enable you to understand your baby, toddler or pre-schooler and as far as we are concerned, that means making sure your child’s immediate needs are met as quickly as possible.

This means emphasis on signs such as Milk, Eat, Drink, Bed / Sleep, Cuddle, Help and Nappy Change.

The way in which a baby will mimic the sign for Eat or Drink – with a flat open hand placed to the mouth is – very similar to the signs for Please and Thank You.  Instead of making life easier for you all, there is huge potential for confusion.  Manners come later, much much later, once you child has progressed to effective speech (see our colleague Libby’s post on the subject of saying Please and Thank You for young children).

The solution? Our recommendation is that you model good manners to your little one by being polite and courteous to each other.  All children observe interactions around them and they will pick up both the language and the context in which manners are used very quickly.  Stick to basic needs signs ( as mentioned earlier in the post and you can see them listed under the Signs to Try category) and once your child is adept with these, move on to other signs that are relevant for your family and the activities that you do.

Great Giveaways!

We’re thrilled to have been given not 1 but 2 copies of the brand new children’s meditation CD “Drift Away” from Kate Beddow at Growing Spirit to give away!

Drift Away is a CD of seven relaxing stories/simple guided meditations, suitable for children of all ages. There are stories for relaxation, to calm and to release worries. The first CD of its kind by Kate and Ian Beddow, it is a wonderful introductions to meditation and mindfulness for children and the combination of Kate’s calming words and Ian’s magical musical stories make it an enchanting addition to any home.

One of the tracks, Sea Dreams, was originally created for Little Signers Club as a perfect way for parents and babies to enjoy some bonding time together.  We think that Kate’s new CD is wonderful for parents and little ones of all ages!

Tracks:

Sea Dreams; Playroom Stars; Space Adventure; In the Fairy Wood; Drift Away; Release your Worries; Woodland Walk

You can find out more about Kate’s work at www.katebeddow.co.uk or find her on Facebook at Growing Spirit Kids.

If you’d like to be included in the DRIFT AWAY GIVEAWAY, simply comment on this post or on our link on Facebook.  Please share!

We’ll draw two winner’s at random on Sunday 15th April 2012.  Full terms and conditions