Dandy Science

Learning the sign for 'horse' whilst singing and playing. 'Photo by Kirsty Fairwether Photography.

There is research to show that babies understand how sentences are put together from as young as seven months.  They can understand language way before they can speak it and this can cause frustration and upset.  Babies know exactly what they want from an early age and tantrums and distress can follow when they cannot communicate this to you.  Babies who are exposed to sign language can communicate through sign, up to six months before they can make verbal sounds.  It is magical when your baby signs to you what they would like it.  It allows you to connect with them on a new level and gives you a window to their world and what they are thinking,

Babies can start signing from around nine months if they are exposed to it early, but it is never too late to start signing with your baby.  Using sign is like using gesture.  Babies often wave goodbye long before they say it, the word 'bye' develops later and is used alongside the sign.   When a baby would like to be picked up they ask by holding their arms up, the word 'up' accompanies the sign when words start to take shape.  By using these gestures babies can get exactly what they want.  Signing works in the same way.  It equips the babies with gestures to use so that they can communicate.  Babies acquire the motor skills needed to sign between the ages of six and twelve months, but the motor skills needed for speech do not develop until between 12 months and 18 months. Research shows that babies who sign tend to verbalise earlier, as they have had a great deal of success with communication already.

Sign for 'more'.

When signing just use one important main word in a sentence.  For example 'eat' in the sentence 'let's go and eat lunch'.  It is important to start off simply and just use a few signs such as 'eat', 'drink', and 'more'.  You must always say the word as you sign it.  As baby grows she will begin to point to things that she would like to know the sign for, for example 'horse', 'bus', 'ball', and she will be interested in using the sign 'listen'.  Baby signing is a fun and rewarding way to communicate with your baby.  Dandy Development classes teach one or two specific signs each week.  These are practiced in the classes through games, songs and through interacting with your baby.  Signs are also used in many of the unique Dandy Development songs to help with routines and transitions through your day.  Parents will quickly learn the signs so that they can then be used in everyday life.

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Sign for 'listen'.

For many parents and carers, it is difficult to know how to help your child develop language and communication skills.  Rather than just 'waiting' for speech sounds to develop there are many ways verbalisation can be encouraged.  All parents and carers can learn these simple techniques and use them in everyday interactions.  It could be as simple as making sure you frequently alter the pitch and tone of your voice to catch and hold your babies attention.   Or it could be a more pro-active technique for older babies such as repeating back to them what they have said, and then adding one more word.  For example if a baby says 'bus', a parent can demonstrate the next step and show what could be said by saying 'yes, a bus, a big bus'.   

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Dandy Development classes teach one language and communication technique each week.  It is demonstrated in the class and there is time for parents and carers to practice the technique in games and through interactions.  At the end of the class, supporting literature is given to every parent and carer to take away, so that the new techniques can be built on and practiced at home.  The classes are stimulating, exciting and fun; neither the children nor the parents are aware that they are learning! 

"Nikki who runs the group is clearly very experienced and knowledgeable.  I'm sure she spends a great deal of time planning her groups so they are original, fun and educational for children and parents alike.  The children find Nikki captivating.  I love looking at the semi circle of babies all staring at her.  Nikki shares small chunks of theory or research to help parents provide the right kind of communication for their children at home and there is an information sheet each week to back this up.  I love Dandy Development and hope to continue to take my daughter until she is too old to attend any longer."  Rebecca, mum to Felicity (6 months, now enrolled in her fifth term!)

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