the TinyTalker

Summer 2010 Class Details

2010-05-02T23:51:00.000-07:00

Mondays at Wemyss Bay Community Centre
10.00 – 11.00am
26 April – 28 June

Mondays at Ardgowan Parish Church, Greenock
1.30 – 2.30pm
26 April – 28 June

Fridays at The Guide Hut, Kilmacolm
10.00 – 11.00am
30 April – 2 July

What's On For Little Ones Awards

2010-03-09T05:31:00.000-08:00

(Click to enlarge)

Vote for TinyTalk and get us (me!) some publicity!

Spring 2010

2010-01-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

2010? Already? Shouldn't we have flying cars by now?

Anyway, I just realised I'd failed to update the Term Dates in the side bar, so they are now updated with this Spring's term dates. I'll post them here too, because why not?

Mondays at Wemyss Bay Community Hall
10.00 - 11.00am
11 Jan - 29 Mar

Fridays at The Guide Hut, Kilmacolm
11.00am – 12.00pm
15 Jan - 2 Apr

Oh dear, Fiona is feeding Isla toothpaste. Gotta go.

Merry (Late) Christmas from Us

2009-12-29T03:36:00.001-08:00

Autumn 2009 Term Newsletter

2009-12-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We’ve come to the end of the Autumn term. I can’t believe how quickly December has come in! Only a year ago, I was going on maternity leave (all five weeks of it) to have a baby, and now here I am, preparing to celebrate Isla’s first birthday and another year of TinyTalk!

First Signs and Birthdays
This term we awarded First Sign certificates to three babies. Congratulations to Rose who began signing ‘milk’, ‘rain’ and a few others over the summer break. Congratulations to Eva for getting a certificate for signing ‘milk’. And congratulations Matthew, for also signing ‘milk’.

There were lots of first birthdays this term too. Happy first birthday to Eva, Rose, Connor, Logan and Isla. And happy third birthday to Cerys!

NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal
Over the coming year, TinyTalk UK will be raising money for the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal. To kick-start our fundraising in Inverclyde, we had a fancy-dress day at the Christmas party, the last day of term. There will be other small fundraising events over the next year. TinyTalk has a national goal of donating £5000 to NSPCC in 2010. I hope we as a region will be able to help a little towards this goal! We may have only a small number of TinyTalk classes throughout Scotland, but I’m convinced we can still help make a difference. For more information on the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

New Payment Policy
Beginning in January, there will be a change in payment options for classes. I have always preferred giving parents the option of drop-in classes, as I know life with a baby is unpredictable. Unfortunately, however, I have found it very difficult over the years to make the hall hire payments using this system. I do not want to ask parents to start booking for the full term since this is not always suitable, so I’ve come up with a compromise I hope will work for us all. The new payment options are as follows:

-‘Drop-In’ will change to paying for four classes upfront at the start of each month* (£16 per month = £4 per class)
-12 week block payments will still be £42 (£3.50 per class)

*Regardless of how many weeks we meet in the month, it will always even out to paying for four classes, even if they run into the following month. Does that make sense?

As always, if you want to take advantage of the block payment discount, but need to book for fewer classes, please talk to me about adjusting the price. I understand the need to be flexible, so if you have holidays booked or work part-time, I am willing to work with you on the number of days paid for.

Spring Term Class Details and Dates
Term details for Spring are:
Mondays @ Wemyss Bay Community Centre
11 Jan – 29 March
10 – 11 am (*Note time change)

Fridays @ Kilmacolm Guide Hut
15 Jan – 2 April
11am – 12pm

To book ahead, you can fill out the booking form overleaf and return it either by post or on the first day back. The advantages of booking ahead include the discounted rate (£3.50 per class) and no need to remember cash each month. The full session is 12 classes at £42.

Happy Holidays!
Whatever holidays your family will celebrate this year, I hope it will be a time of joy, happy memories and great company. And all the best for the new year. For those who will be headed back to work, we will miss seeing you and your babies each week. As for anyone returning in January, I look forward to seeing you again and watching your babies grow into lovely little children. Happy holidays!

Christmas Party - Fancy Dress!

2009-12-05T04:42:00.001-08:00

Hiya,

I need to get better at keeping this up-to-date.

This week coming (7 and 11 December) will be the TinyTalk Christmas parties. TinyTalk UK is sponsoring the NSPCC this upcoming year, so to kick start the fundraising, we will be having a Fancy Dress day. Bring your babies in fancy dress and put in a wee donation for the Child's Voice Appeal. You can dress up too, if you're so inclined! If I can find my reindeer antlers, I'll be wearing them with pride.

For more on the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

As for the rest of the Christmas party, there will be cakes, hot chocolate and Pass the Parcel. And if you had photos taken last week, they will be available then too.

I love Christmas!

Reminder- No Class Week of 19-23 Oct

2009-10-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

'Nuff said. :)

Class is off this week for school holidays.

The following week is the Halloween party! Come with babies in fancy dress!

New Session and New Website

2009-09-08T23:33:00.000-07:00

Next week is the start of the Autumn session of TinyTalk.

It's hard to believe it; it means summer is well and truly over (as if the rain hadn't already made that abundantly clear...)

If you are planning on pre-booking but haven't sent me your forms, that is fine. At this point it makes more sense to wait until next week and hand in your forms there.

Below is a quick reminder of term dates:

Mondays
Wemyss Bay Community Centre
11am - 12pm
14 September - 7 December (No class on 19 October - School Holidays)

Fridays
Kilmacolm Guide Hut
11am- 12pm
18 September - 11 December (No class on 23 October - School Holidays)

In other news, I have a new website: tinytalkinverclyde.co.uk. This blog will still be a part of it, but the website gives more information to people interested in baby signing locally. It'll also host pictures of class parties and events. You can get to the blog from there too.

So that's that. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

Teddy Bears' Picnic: Take 2- Friday

2009-08-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first (perhaps annual?) Teddy Bears' Picnic. I can't believe the rain stayed off JUST LONG ENOUGH to eat our lunches, sing a few songs, read a book and play on the playground for half an hour. It was perfect.

Many of you couldn't make it on Monday, so I'm having another one this Friday. The details are: from noon onwards at Gourock Park (the bunny park) on Friday 21st August. Bring a picnic, a blanket (we were all crowded onto only two!), a teddy and some sunshine. Maybe if we all wish really, really hard, the weather will be beautiful.

Below are a few pictures. We'll meet in the same area again, in the middle of the park on the pavement by the benches.

Teddy Bears' Picnic

2009-08-08T10:52:00.001-07:00

If you're on the mailing list, you'll have read this already. I'm being lazy and copying/pasting. So....

I can't believe it's August already! Where is this summer going??

A week from Monday (not this coming Monday but the following) is our TinyTalk Teddy Bears' Picnic. Yes, I made it a Teddy Bears' Picnic instead of a regular old boring picnic. Picnics are always better when teddy bears are invited.

It will be held from noon onwards at Gourock Park (the bunny park) on Monday the 17th August. It's just a fun little get-together, so bring friends, family or whomever. And of course, don't forget to bring Teddy! We'll have a picnic, and if we all feel brave enough, maybe even sing a few songs.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

(I know some of my Friday class-ers can't make a Monday. Email me - lorim@tinytalk.co.uk - if you want to do a picnic on Friday too, and if a couple of you email me, we can arrange to do that on the 21st.)

"Swine Language" Book for Babies!

2009-08-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

A book to help parents teach babies and young children sign language for swine flu symptoms has been launched by a Scottish childcare expert.

It includes the baby sign language for "hot", "cold", "pain" and "more water".

Haha, while it's not a bad idea (kinda funny actually), there's no need to rush off and buy a book! If you want to teach your baby the signs to help them indicate illness, here are the ones listed above:

Hot = With your palm facing towards your forehead and hand flat, swipe your hand across your forehead then close your fingers at the end, as if you were wiping sweat from your forehead.

Cold = With both arms bent at your side and fists close, "shiver" your arms rapidly.

Pain = Using your dominant hand, extend all fingers and shake your hand like you've just hurt it. Don't forget good facial expressions!

More = Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your tummy, flat and palm facing inwards. Then with your dominant hand, pat the back of the other hand a couple of times.

Water = Put your thumb and pointer finger together and draw a line from your ear to your mouth.

And of course, don't forget to say the word as you sign it!

And since we are on the topic of swine flu, here is a copy of TinyTalk's official swine flu policy. I know here in Greenock it seems to be a little less worrisome than it was, but when kids go back to school, the outbreak may resume its intensity. So for when classes start back up in September, here's our policy:

TinyTalk Inverclyde
Swine Flu Policy

TinyTalk is taking the potential threat of swine flu very seriously.
Please take a moment to read how we all aim to minimise any risk.

If I get ill
1. If I am diagnosed with swine flu or suspected swine flu I will not teach classes.
2. If I have to cancel a class I will do so as early as possible. It is really important that I have current phone numbers, both home and mobile and an email address where possible.
3. In the case of cancellation I will try to offer replacement classes or, if not, a refund.

If you get swine flu or suspect you might have it
1. If you have any flu symptoms please don’t come to the classes. Young children and pregnant women (there might be some of you out there!) are classed as highly susceptible and ‘at risk’.

Hopefully no-one will be afflicted with swine flu but here is a list of symptoms, taken from the NHS website. The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may cause more serious complications.

The typical symptoms of swine flu are:
• a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above), and
• a sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:
• a headache,
• tiredness,
• chills,
• aching muscles,
• limb or joint pain,
• diarrhoea or stomach upset,
• sore throat,
• runny nose,
• sneezing,
• and a loss of appetite.

Also, to reassure you, I will of course continue to ensure that the instruments and toys, that have had a good ‘suck’, are very well cleaned!

Let’s all keep healthy!

July 2009 TinyTalker Newsletter

2009-07-23T03:09:00.000-07:00

Summer Wrap-Up
Ah, what a beautiful summer we’ve had (touch wood). Thanks to all of you for taking an hour out of the sunshine each week to come sign and sing with us. It’s been a good term. The new class in Wemyss Bay is gathering some momentum, while the Kilmacolm class continues to be a great crowd – especially when everyone comes on the same day! I really loving teaching these classes, and I hope it shows. I truly have the best job in the world; I get to sing songs, play with babies and watch them learn to sign, and meet tons of wonderful ladies (this means you) who really end up becoming my friends in the process.

First Signs and Birthdays
This term we awarded First Sign certificates to five babies. Congratulations to Finlay who began signing over the Easter break and received his certificate the first day back. Congratulations to Ruairidh for getting a certificate for signing ‘milk’ and who is now using lots of other signs too. Congratulations Orla, for also signing ‘milk’. And congratulations to Erin and Isla who both started signing ‘milk’ just in time for a certificate to be awarded on the last day of term. It’s been great to see your progress!

There were lots of first birthdays this term too. Happy birthday to Canaan and Orla (from over the Easter break), Mila and Finlay. And happy birthday to Ciara, Cameron, Abby and Erin, who will have their first birthdays during the summer break! I’ll try not to get emotional about babies growing up too fast...

Father’s Day and Upcoming Special Days
This term we held a special Father’s Day class on the Saturday before Father’s Day. It was a really good turn out and a lot of fun. For once, the menfolk outnumbered the women, and to my surprise, the dads really got into it! You fellas ought to come along more often!

The upcoming Autumn term will include a Halloween party, because nothing is cuter than babies in fancy dress, and a Christmas party. Both will be during usual class time.

Pre-booking your TinyTalk place
Term dates for Autumn are 14 (Mon) and 18 (Fri) September – 7 (Mon) and 11 (Fri) December with no classes the week of 19-23 October (School Holidays). To book ahead, you can fill out the booking form and return it either by post or on the first day back. The advantages of booking ahead include the discounted rate (£3.50 per class instead of £4 for dropping in) and no need to remember cash each week. The full session is 12 classes at £42. However, there is also the option of booking for a lesser number of classes, if you know you will likely be missing a few. You can always book for half a term or something like 10/12, if that suits you better. Life with babies is often unpredictable, so I want to be as flexible as possible, making your life a little easier.

Free Summer ‘Get-Together’
With everything being off for mums and babies during the holidays, we start going a bit stir crazy, and so do our babies! So I’m planning an informal picnic and sing-song time for Monday, the 17th August, which is right in the middle of the break. It’s free – just a chance to catch up, play outside, sing some favourite songs and brush up on our signs. It’ll be in Gourock Park (the ‘bunny park’) at 12 noon. We’ll all bring our lunches and some blankets and hopefully get some nice weather! (If it’s raining badly, we’ll cancel it, but if it’s just overcast or dreary, I’ll still be there.) I’ll send a reminder out closer to time.

Happy Summer Holidays!
Some of you have some lovely holidays planned. I hope you have a great time – I will be sitting here feeling very jealous! For the rest of us, let’s hope we have more of this glorious sunshine and less of these awful midges, so we can enjoy the rest of the summer. See you all in September. And hey, if you find yourself really bored over the break from all the baby groups, let’s organise something else!

End of Term

2009-07-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Just to remind you that next week is the last class of the Summer term. There will be cake!

The Autumn class details are as follows:

AUTUMN SESSION:
14 (Mon) and 18 (Fri) September – 7 (Mon) and 11 (Fri) December
NO CLASSES WEEK OF 19-23 OCTOBER (School Holidays)

Mondays at Wemyss Bay Community Hall
11.00am – 12.00pm
Fridays at The Guide Hut, Kilmacolm
11.00am – 12.00pm

Save the Date:
Futhermore, I’m planning an informal picnic/ get-together for Monday, the 17th August, which is right in the middle of the break. It’s free – just a chance to catch up, play outside, and maybe sing a few songs and brush up any signs you've forgotten. It’ll be in Gourock Park (the ‘bunny park’) at 12 noon. We’ll all bring our lunches and some blankets and hopefully get some nice weather! More about it closer to time, and there will be an email sent out to all on the list. (If you are not on the email list and would like to be added, email me at lorim@tinytalk.co.uk.)

Welcome to TinyTalk Inverclyde!

2009-06-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I've set this site up as a way to keep you all informed of what's going on, class dates and times, local events of interest and anything else I can think of! Basically, I'm just addicted to newsletters, so here I can news brief to my heart's content.

It'll also be a place to share the latest information about baby signing, share pictures, and announce First Signers and Happy Birthdays.

I hope you'll subscribe to the RSS feed, so you'll know when I make an update to the site.

For those of you new to TinyTalk, baby signing and me, let me introduce myself. My name is Lori, and pictured on the sidebar are me and my TinyTalkers Fiona and Isla.

I started signing with Fiona from the time she was born. I started by simply signing ‘milk’ every time I fed her. Fiona first signed back when she was 7 months and hasn’t stopped signing (or talking) since. I’m now on round two with Isla and looking forward to the special relationship baby signing creates!

I’m still amazed at how much signing helped with our communication and frustration levels. Because Fiona could tell me when she was hungry or tired or even wanted to stop to pat the neighbour’s cat, we had very few problems with frustration and tantrums. It's for this reason that I decided to start teaching baby signing - to give other parents and babies the opportunity to communicate with each other before speech develops. Plus, I just love spending all day with adorable babies!

Baby signing is the use of simple signs and gestures (TinyTalk uses BSL) with pre-verbal children to help them to communicate their needs, feelings and what they are looking at or thinking about.

At TinyTalk, we believe that sign language encourages early communication. To understand and to be understood is fundamental to our well-being and our sense of self. Signing provides a way of introducing language to children, enabling them to begin to express their feelings, wishes and needs and to make sense of their world. This early and explicit introduction to language often helps early speech.

The classes are very informal and friendly so if you need to feed or move around to keep your baby happy, please feel free to do so. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first with all the songs and signing, but please do as much or as little is comfortable for both you and your baby.

All of the songs and signs are repeated frequently throughout the weeks, and you will soon pick them up. Just relax and have fun with your baby. However, there are also CDs, DVDs and Signing Packs available should you want to practice more at home.

And that, I am certain, is more than enough for today. Welcome to TinyTalk Inverclyde!