Sing and Sign baby signing classes in... New Zealand, Wellington
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About Me
BOOK WEEK ONE TRIAL CLASSES IN JOHNSONVILLE, PORIRUA, KARORI & MIRAMAR.
A bit about me...Kia ora! My name is Cat Grant and I am the local Sing and Sign teacher for Wellington and the Kapiti Coast. I offer fun, musical baby sign courses for babies and toddlers in Johnsonville, Porirua, Karori and Miramar.I'm the mum of two girls, with a professional background in communications and a love of music, which is why I was drawn so strongly to Sing and Sign as a new parent. The classes were small, relaxed, and fun, and showed me babies have so many communication skills we can tap into well before they learn how to speak.I'd love to share the joy of Sing and Sign with you in class - please contact me if you have any questions eg 'can I start part way through term' or 'which class is right for me and my baby'. And if the class timetable doesn't work for you, take a look at the @ Home online course option!Single trial sessions are now bookable for Autumn term Week 1 classes for just $15. To book a trial session, use discount code TRYTERM2 when booking your chosen course - Stage 1 (babies 6-14 months) or Stage 2 (babies 14-24 months).Choose to sign up for the remainder of term and you will have access to our weekly online @Home course, signing dictionaries, Sign and Sign DVD videos (streamed) and more!The TRYTERM2 discount code offer does not apply to @Home (online-only) standalone course bookings.To skip the trial and guarantee your place on the 10 week course, simply book without the code and pay for the course in full.How to choose and book a Sing and Sign courseSing and Sign offers age-appropriate group courses - Stage One (6-14 months) and Stage Two (14-24 months). There is some flexibility in the age range and no prior experience is required for either Stage. Simply choose the Stage that's closest to your baby's age at the course start date! If you're somewhere in the middle of the two Stages, send me an inquiry and I'll help you figure out which one is best.Courses run for 10-weeks in line with New Zealand school terms and are strictly limited to 10 parent/carer and babies per course. It is highly recommended to book now to secure your place.What's included with courses?Sing and Sign offers GREAT value!* Weekly group classes progressing over the term* @Home course which runs alongside (a pre-recorded class each week to share with partner/family)* Online resources including printable and video signing dictionaries, streamed videos, music, gamesClass Timetable for Autumn 2024 (10 weeks April to July)Stage 1 Courses - for Babies 6-14 months-old - BOOK NOWMonday (29 April to 1 July) - no class on King's BirthdayMiramar & Maupuia Community Centre, 10amJohnsonville Community Centre, 1pmTuesday (30 April to 2 July)Johnsonville Community Centre, 10amKarori Community Centre, 12:30pmWednesday (1 May - 3 July)Plimmerton Hall, Porirua - 11amMonday (5 February to 8 April)Miramar & Maupuia Community Centre, 11amWednesday (7 February - 10 April)Plimmerton Hall, Porirua 10amOur award-winning @Home online course is a great option if you need more flexibility and the classes don't work with your schedule. @Home is pre-recorded, online-only with weekly classes designed to enjoy together, interactively, with baby. The course runs for 10 weeks and can be streamed to your TV in the living room, so the whole family can join in.Questions about @Home? Send me an inquiryGeneral info about the Stage 1 (6-14 months) course
The Stage 1 class is a fun, musical 10-week course, which introduces lots of useful signs using easily remembered songs.
Your learning is supported by amazing online materials you can share with siblings and partners, so they can join the signing journey with you and baby.It also includes a term of our online @Home course which runs alongside the group classes.
We cover all the topics you need for your baby to communicate with you before speech, including:
* Feeding
* Bathtime
* Nappy changes
* Going out
* Bedtime
* Asking for helpAnd more... plus tons of nursery rhymes, musical fun and peek-a-boo games!
Stage 1 is typically for babies aged 6-14 months-old, while babies are sitting to crawling to starting to walk (I'm happy to accept younger babies that can sit up with a little assistance). Stage 1 babies are not expected to sit still and watch - if they need a cuddle, feed or dance they can. It's so lovely and very cute to see the babies making friends and initiating play.
General info about the Stage 2 (14-24 months) courseStage 2 can be loud, busy but always tons of fun! It allows the little ones to move, play music and enjoy interacting with props.We encourage our toddlers to follow our lead with lots of songs from our Stage 1 favourites, tons of new Stage 2 songs and well-known nursery rhymes. (You don't need to have done Stage 1 to join though, and don't worry, you'll know some of these songs already!)Topics covered include:
* Food and making choices
* Colours
* Weather
* A gentle introduction to the potty
* Opposites
* A-Z phonics
* And more....
Stage 2 is so wonderful as this seems to be the point where new signs are exploding day after day, along with speech and their little personalities shine bright! Babies and toddlers this age are full of energy and the class material is engaging and interactive to keep little minds and bodies busy. -
More Info
Booking Sing and Sign classes and other FAQs
What is baby signing?
Baby sign is a system of gestures that we can use as we talk, to support the development of our child’s speech. Unless you or your baby needs it, it's not necessary to learn a full language complete with syntax and grammar rules (though that's an awesome thing to do if you're interested in learning NZSL, and there is occasionally some crossover with baby sign too). Instead, we use a set of simple signs that are meaningful to parents, carers and babies in everyday life.
At Sing and Sign, we focus on keeping things simple and consistent. We only use one sign to emphasise the key word in any sentence, and we always say it as we sign it - otherwise known as 'keyword signing'. This helps your baby to connect the gesture with the important spoken word and grasp its meaning.
We encourage baby to say and sign the word too. As we sign, we naturally tend to slow down, make eye contact and speak more clearly. This makes it easier for our baby to follow our mouth and copy us, which encourages speech development.
If you have some experience with signing in a particular language and you're already signing for fun with your baby, keep at it! You could still gain a lot from a Sing and Sign class if you're happy to blend sign styles as many parents are. I'd encourage you to continue using the signs that are most familiar to you.
Sing and Sign is a lot of fun and easy to build your vocabulary without even realising you’re doing it. The songs are catchy and familiar, and since babies love patterns and repetition we work them into a class routine. The songs are sometimes sung to traditional tunes so they’re easy to remember and share with family members.
Learn more about the Sing and Sign programme, supported and recommended by UK experts.
Find out what parents think about Sing and Sign
Have a question about Sing and Sign? Check out our FAQs
Which Sing and Sign class should I choose?
Choose the class that most closely matches your baby's age at the course start date.
- Babes (0-6 months) - 10 weeks (talk to me if you'd prefer to join a 5 week course)
- Stage One (6-14 months) - 10 weeks
- Stage Two (14-24 months) - 10 weeks
- @HOME (Stage One or Stage Two) - 10 weeks
Watch a 5-minute video to find out more about the different Sing and Sign stages
You can work out your baby's age at the course start date on the Time and Date website.
Babes class (0-6m) - what should I expect?
Our “Babes” course is 10 weeks. Babes offers much more than a baby group - we focus on the fundamental framework for communication with our babies with themes such as eye contact, shared looking, commenting, gestures, facial expression and more.
You'll learn lots of fun songs, chants and rhymes you can do with your little one and learn the basics of baby sign.
The Babes course empowers you to feel confident you don’t need lots of toys and props - you are stimulating and enjoyable enough for your baby. You’ll also benefit from those early months with ideas for what to play at home.
Babies love being the centre of your attention and this course is a distraction-free way to nurture your bond. Of course, baby may not be in the mood to play, engage and participate at the same time each week. They can feed, cuddle, sleep, have nappies changed anytime they need during the session.
Classes include 10 parent/carer and baby pairs, so it’s a relaxed and intimate class with the chance to meet like-minded local people.
Sessions will run for around 30 minutes with some social time built in before/after. Please allow an hour from the time the class is advertised to run.
Stage 1 (6-14m) - what should I expect?
The Stage 1 course is designed for beginners and young children (from 6 months up to 14 months).
Classes are up to 10 socially-distanced parent and baby pairs. It’s an intimate class size with the chance to meet like-minded people in your neighbourhood.
The course syllabus includes:
- basic signs (milk, more, finished…)
- going out (routine, places, vehicles)
- bath time
- nappy change
- emotions
- help me
- bedtime
- feeling sick/in pain
- people
- lots of animals!
This is the stage where signing may take off, with most children signing back from around 9 months old (although of course, all children are different and there’s no hurry and never any pressure).
Classes will run for around 45 minutes with some social time built in before/after. Please allow an hour from the time the class is advertised to run.
Check availability and book a Stage One class in Paraparaumu.
Stage 2 (Toddlers 14-24m)
If your baby is a little older, you may feel ready for a course with a little more action and activity!
Our Stage 2 classes are great for toddlers up to around 2 1/2 years old to explore and have fun. You don’t need to have done baby sign or Sing and Sign before, and your little one may or may not have already started talking.
In our Stage 2 class we still include the basic signs with lovely songs to enjoy. We also tackle concepts such as the weather, colours, being helpful, simple counting, opposites, and even begin simple phonics - all using music and song.
Kids this age tend to get up and walk around the room, dance and get involved - and that is all OK. Classes are up to 10 socially-distanced parent and toddler pairs. It’s an intimate class size with the chance to meet like-minded people in your neighbourhood.
Classes will run for around 45 minutes with some social time built in before/after. Please allow an hour from the time the class is advertised to run.
Online only @Home course - is this right for me?The Sing and Sign @Home programme is perfect if you need more flexibility or perhaps can't fit a group class into your schedule. Instead, you can enjoy one of our award-winning courses on-demand in your own living room!
If you've never done Sign and Sign before, it's best to start with Stage One regardless of baby's age - that way you'll learn all the basics at an easy pace. Then you'll be perfectly prepared to move on to Stage Two next term!
Sign up for @Home and you’ll receive:
- a new themed, pre-recorded class each week
- each class is available for a whole week, 24/7
- 10 weeks of 30-minute sessions
- supporting lesson tips and clips
- access to our 250+ signing dictionary, Jessie Cat interactive games and award-winning DVD titles (streamed) for the duration of the course
You’ll feel empowered to:
- help your little one use words before they can talk
- encourage speech development and support their understanding of language
- learn songs, rhymes, and music
- practise lots of basic signs you'll use every day at your own pace
- support your learning when it suits you, with 24/7 access to online resources
- enjoy new ways to play and bond with baby without too many distracting props
Check availability and book an @HOME class
Watch a video taster of our award-winning @Home online classes (9 mins)
What if my baby is out of the age range you are offering?We offer different "stages" of Sing and Sign which have been developed specifically for your baby's developmental stages.
Sing and Sign Babes classes are for roughly 2 to 5-month-olds (we do accept younger and slightly older babies!)Sing and Sign Stage 1 is ideal for babies from 6 months old up to around 14 months old and their parent/carer. There can be some flexibility in this, particularly at the older end of the range - please reach out if you'd like to chat about it.
It's quite a big step from Stage 1 to Stage 2, so many people come to Stage 1 for two terms before attending Stage 2. However, it all depends on your baby's age - I'd be happy to chat with you about this
Stage 2 is more active and interactive, which is great when your little one is 14+ months and likely to be moving about and probably starting to talk (every baby is different, so there's no hard and fast rule!). It is tons of fun and covers topics from types of food, colours, weather, a gentle introduction to the potty, and phonics. You don't need to have done Sing and Sign before to join a Stage 2 class.The @Home course may suit you best if you feel your baby isn't quite ready for a group session or you can't fit a class into your schedule - let's chat about your needs!
I have multiple babies - how many places do I pay for?
Twins/triplets are welcome and only pay for one place if there is only one adult attending. If you're bringing another adult helper each week, you may need to book 2 places - please contact me about it.
I have an older child - can they come too?
It would be preferable for classes to be just for the babies/toddlers and, if you have got older children, it's a great (and rare!) opportunity to focus solely on your youngest. If you need to bring your older child, they may be able to come with you to class but please contact me before you book your place.
How much does it cost?
- Babes is $160 per 10-week course.
- Stage One & Stage Two (10-week courses) - Fantastic value at $175 for a 10-week term. You'll also have access to Sing and Sign's amazing Jessie Cat Club (detailed below) and your current term’s @Home course (worth $99).
- @Home (10-week course) is $99, including access to Jessie Cat Club for the course duration.
What is Jessie Cat Club Membership?
- 200+ signs to view in video clips
- two 15-minute films directly supporting our Stage One curriculum, one covering songs and signs from weeks 1-4 and one covering weeks 5-10
- a print-out facility for you baby’s favourite signs to share with family/nursery
- our classic ‘Sing and Sign - Baby Signing the Fun Way’ (DVD streamed)
- 2 interactive "Where is Jessie?" games
How can I book a class?
Check availability and book a class in Paraparaumu or Porirua, on our international, UK based website.
Don't worry, there's no additional cost for booking on this site - payments are in New Zealand dollars and made direct to the teacher via Stripe or Bank Transfer.
If you have any questions about booking procedures or terms, please don't hesitate to get in touch - please email singandsignwellington@gmail.com or find me on Facebook at Sing and Sign Wellington or give me a call/text on 020 474 9474.
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