Testimonials and Parents Comments

"I really enjoyed the workshop day and gained so much from it. It provided such insight into reasons for signing with babies. I was previously unaware of just how many areas it can enhance with child development. Dawn is a fantastic and talented tutor".

"Really confident teacher, very professional and clearly knowledgeable. Content very relevent and applicable. An excellent and useful course".

Staff from Emmy Jaynes's Nursery, Northallerton

"The tutor was excellent she really encouraged me. Would like to develop further with sign language".

Old Station Nursery Linten-on-Ouse

"Very good course, one of the best i have attended. Very good motivated tutor, learnt alot and gained new skills, would recommend to others".

Laura Stephenson- Childminder

"Really excellent training session really rewarding, thoroughly enjoyed it!! thanks"

Surestart Peterlee

"Through the experience of having the Signing Tots programme delivered here at the Childcare Centre, working with both staff and children I would like to give our thanks. It has been both valuable and enjoyable.

We have incorporated many of the fun activities and rhymes into our daily routine and the children are very responsive and enjoy taking part, learning the signs and actions and as these are repeated the children are showing progression by making the signs by them selves.

I would have no doubts in recommending Signing Tots to other childcare professionals, parents and carers; it has been both a success and a ‘hit’ with the children. Thank you for the time you have spent with both our staff and children and we look forward to seeing you again in the near future."

Andrea Cartwright, Manager of Darlington College Childcare Centre

"As a trained school teacher myself I thought your classes were very well structured. This is no simple thing when you are trying to meet the needs of the babies and the adult learners. Not only that, the activities were fun and enjoyable for us all, the room and toys provided were great and the opportunity for a coffee and a chat afterwards was really appreciated. I have already recommended your classes to my friends."

"We had a terrific time at the Signing Tots Course I would definately recommend to my friends."

Rachael Iddon with Samuel 9 mths from Billingham

"All the classes were well thought out, organised and planned. Each week I felt we covered just the right amount of signs to be able to try and learn them. i also really enjoyed the songs, as for me I felt they helped me learn the signs. It was a friendly, welcoming class and it was a shame when we reached the last one. You made it fun and I will be recommending your classes to my friends that are pregnant."

Linzi Vairy with Paige 10 mths from Darlington

"Very informative course. Fun and interactive for babies and parents".

Susan Kelly with Dominic aged 1 year from Darlington.

"Really enjoyed the course, I thought your teaching skills were brilliant and I was amazed how easily I picked up the Baby Signing."

Rachel Armstrong with Leah 15 mths from Thirsk

"You made the course fun, keeping the children engaged. Samuel is now signing more and milk all the time thanks".
Phillipa Forster & Thomas (10 mths) from Hartburn, Stockton

"Fantastic, the classes were really good fun as well as educational. Charlotte is able to sign about ten words clearly and a few more are coming. Its great to have the handouts as reminders we have stuck them in the kitchen to help us remember, but we learnt so much more with the songs too. You have a lovely way with the babies & mums we all think you,re great!"

Lynda Ayre with Samuel aged 1 year from Ingleby Barwick, Teesside

"When Toby started the classes he was just over a year old and did the "milk" sign very quickly and then picked up the signs gradually. When we returned to the second course he was nearly 16 months old and I found that he was great at copying the signs and saying the words as well as signing. We really enjoyed the classes and the group was lovely to be in, I looked forward to Friday mornings. Thanks Dawn for the lovely classes."
Linda Bainbride with Charlotte aged 13 months from Yarm.

"Just wanted to say a big thankyou for putting on such a wonderful class.I would definately recommend it to other mums an would love to work with you again. The concept of Baby Sign is marvelous but I really believe that it is your fab personality that makes it so special. A proud moment last week when in front of lots of family Samuel signed for milk - he impressed everyone."

Mrs Joanne Hodgkinson with Samuel aged 9 months from Ingleby Barwick.


"I thoroughly enjoyed the courses I attended and probably know more signs than I think through remembering the songs and rhymes. The classes were relaxed and informal and very child friendly".

Caroline Garbutt with Emily aged 9 months from Ingleby Barwick.

"Over the years I have worked closely with children of all ages and abilities. I have always wanted to learn baby sign to help babies, and children with learning disabilities, communicate with myself and others as it can be very frustrating for children if they cannot get across their wants and needs. So you can imagine my delight when I saw an advert advertising courses in baby sign. I contacted Dawn immediately and asked about course availability. Unfortunately they weren't being held in my area at the time and I was so disappointed, until Dawn explained she would hold a workshop in my own home at a time that was convenient for me.

Dawn came armed with books, information sheets and a short film for me to watch. I was very surprised and impressed when I saw the results you could achieve through signing. I couldn't wait to try the signs out on the 12 month old I look after. Within two weeks she was signing "drink", "more" and "food", she is now signing animals names, colours and some day to day words. Her parents are thrilled because she can now communicate with them before her language skills have developed.

I would recommend baby sign to anyone with babies, or children with communication difficulties as it has opened up a whole new way of me being able to talk to children, when previously I had to second guess their babblings and distress.

Thanks Dawn I couldn't have done it without you".

Alison Fothergill - Registered Childminder from Hartlepool

"What a fantastic way to meet other mums and children. Not only this but to then be able to communicate with my daughter after six weeks is absolutely amazing. She can tell me when she wants more of something, when she is hungry, wants a drink, when something is all gone and that she wants a sleep. Since the last session she has also started linking the signs together. Can,t wait to start stage Two."

Joanne Byrne from Redcar with Kaelyn aged 14 mths.

"Really glad that we signed up for signing, Wonderful to see them expressing their needs through signing, a really good experience, Isal loved it and enjoyed all the props and songs. Would recommend to family and friends many of which have took it up."

Shelli Kempson from, Redcar with Isla aged 14mths.

"Excellent value for money a very professional delivery but in a relaxing environment."
Catherine Appleby, Darlington with William 14 mths

"Excellent, The babies and adults really enjoyed it, lots of songs were sung with the signs making it easy to remember them. Good group atmosphere."

Debbie O'Callaghan, Darlington with kieran 1 year.

"Really enjoyed attending all courses and very rewarding to see Skye pick up the signs and communicate with us. Alleviated alot of frustration in the early days. Dawn is a fantastic teacher, her enthusiasm and imagination makes the sessions great fun for the children (+ mums). We shall really miss our Friday mornings with her !!"

Ainsley Mulholland, Ingelby Barwick with Skye now 2.

"I have always had an interest in using a simple sign language as my own little girl had severe speech and language difficulties and I used signs to be able to communicate with her.

When I became a quality assured registered childminder I also used this simple signing with the younger children to enable them to communicate their needs to me.

I then, with a colleague, attended Dawn's workshop where I found that most of the signs I had been using were right. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the weekly workshops and found baby sign very easy to learn and incorporate into my working day. It has quickly become a language continuously used in conjunction with speech.

I use it all the time even with the youngest of children in my care resulting in fewer moments of frustration for them.

Keep up the good work Dawn."

Liz Davitt, Registered Childminder in Hartlepool .