STAFF and participants in baby signing classes in Droitwich, Evesham and Worcester have been celebrating Easter with fancy dress parties.
TinyTalk members – babies and toddlers – have been dressed as a multitude of characters, including hopping bunnies, fluffy ducklings and even carrots.
The youngsters have been signing their way into spring as part of the one-hour classes which are based on British Sign Language (BSL) and help parents communicate with their children before they can speak, reducing tantrums in the process.
The groups also provide toddler talking classes where sign language is still taught but the emphasis is more on talking and other important skills like turn taking and sharing.
Peppa Pig’s new little brother George in the popular TV series is deaf which the group feels will help raise awareness of signing.
Teacher Mollie Prior, who is currently completing her Level 3 in British Sign Language, said: “Easter is the perfect time to celebrate the natural burst into spring with lots of fun for our parents and little ones.
“New beginnings, new opportunities and new recognition.
“Peppa Pig’s brother George being diagnosed as deaf on the global children’s TV show means that the deaf community are now being represented from a young age.
“I can’t think of a better time to join TinyTalk and our signing community.”
There are over 50,000 deaf children in the UK, with over a quarter of these being deaf in one ear, like George.
Mollie has run the weekly TinyTalk classes in Droitwich, Evesham and Worcester for nine years now.
Each session is full of songs, games, books and sensory activities, followed by playtime and refreshments.
Babies are taught signs, based on BSL, to help little ones communicate before they can speak – giving them a voice.
