Look who's talking sign language! (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Look who's talking sign language!

3:49pm Friday 6th April 2007 in News By Samantha Shale

BABIES are being taught nursery rhymes in sign language so their parents can communicate with them.

The first Sing and Sign programme in the borough teaches hearing children sign language through traditional nursery rhymes and new or specially adapted songs.

The brains behind the programme say it means fewer tantrums and sleepless nights for parents and less stress for babies.

Caroline Wood, 30, of Sydney Street, believed in the course so much she gave up her job as a regeneration officer for Bolton Council and trained to become a Sing and Sign teacher.

She has now set up the classes in Darwen.

Caroline said: "I got some books on baby signing and they were terribly difficult and boring and you couldn't see it being done. But I was recommended Sing and Sign so I got hold of the DVD and it's fantastic.

"We talk the same language through mus-ic and games and encourage our babies to get up and sign and sing along to the music.

"A lot of mums said they'd really like to teach their babies and asked when I was going to start teaching so I looked into it and said I would like to do this as a career."

Caroline started sign-ing with her daughter Kirsten when she was six months old.

Now Kirsten knows nearly 100 signs for words such as milk', bubbles' and tired'. Caroline knows between 150 and 200 and dad Andrew, 29, knows about 50.

Caroline said: "We teach parents signs which are important to their baby.

"Kirsten quite often loses a toy under the sofa so she signs teddy gone' and I sign where?' and this is all done without any kind of upset or stamping of feet."

The 11-week course starts in Darwen on April 18 at the Craiglands Hotel, Watery Lane, 2pm to 3pm each Wednesday.

For details, contact Caroline on 0161 408 2432 or email caroline wood@singandsign.com