Tiny Talk

Tiny Talk

Learn to communicate with your baby before they can speak, at an award-winning TinyTalk baby signing class.

What can you expect at a TinyTalk class?
  • Weekly themes such as bedtime, family or a trip to the park give you the signs you need to share baby’s world and daily routine, using British Sign Language (BSL)
  • An interactive music class featuring well-known nursery rhymes, action songs, specially composed music and instruments
  • Hands-on sensory activities delight your baby and develop all-round communication skills such as vocalising, listening and taking turns. They also stimulate your baby’s senses, encourage their tracking skills and develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
  • Time to relax with a cuppa and make new friends whilst your baby enjoys social playtime

TinyTalk classes are run in blocks of 12 weeks

though you can often start at any time (subject to space). Each block covers the most important 50 core signs which we know will make a huge difference. Our classes do not repeat across a year and, as babies' interests develop, so many families choose to return time after time. We cover 150 signs in all, and a few amazing babies have learned almost all of them!

Why baby signing?

A signing baby:

  • can tell you what they're thinking about BEFORE they can talk
  • can tell you what they want, how they're feeling or what they're looking at

  • is a very happy, chuffed little being - DELIGHTED to be understood!

  • has very happy parents / carers who have 'a window to their baby's mind' (and don't need to 'guess'!)

  • is a confident communicator, with an early understanding of language AND able to express themselves

  • And signing does NOT stop babies talking!

In fact, because at TinyTalk we ALWAYS teach signs with speech, showing our babies how to make the signs and how to say the words, many of our signing babies also start to make early attempts at initial speech sounds, e.g. 'm' for 'Mummy', when they're making the signs. Our babies are keen to get their message out! (And their parents / carers are keen to support them, knowing how much they have to say before they can actually speak.)

Run by Hannah Wiles

Hello! I am Hannah and I run TinyTalk classes in the west of Stockport; Cheadle area and The Heatons. I am a mum to three wonderful children; Noah, Matilda and Tabitha.

Prior to becoming a mummy I was a primary school teacher, and have always loved both teaching and children, so TinyTalk classes have allowed me to continue working in a similar field, alongside sharing my passion for baby sign and all the benefits that it can bring to both children and their parents.

I have signed with all three of my kids and loved being able to communicate with them before they could even speak. It eases everyone's frustration and gives you a fascinating insight into what is going on inside their little heads. Tabitha is my superstar signer and signed her first sign (milk) at 6 months. Once we started going along to TinyTalk classes, her signing really took off, and she is now able to use over 300 signs at 2 years old, as well as speaking fluently. The classes have been the highlight of the week for both of us, I have loved learning a new skill, and I regularly socialise with mums outside of the class too.

TinyTalk classes are 1 hour long and are suitable from newborn upwards. During the first half hour we have lots of fun introducing the signs, that link to that week's theme, through nursery rhymes, songs, books and games. The session also includes some sensory activities to aid your baby's development and we have fun with the musical instruments. The second half hour is social time for both you and your little ones. You can enjoy a hot cuppa and a biscuit, chat with other grown ups, all while your little one learns to play and interact with others.

Why don't you come along to a TinyTalk class and see what a difference baby sign language can make to your life? A friendly welcome awaits you and you might just meet some new friends along the way.

Learn more
Hannah
Tiny Talk