Sing and Sign baby signing classes in... Chepstow, Monmouth & East Newport

• About Me

  Welcome to Sing and Sign Chepstow and Surrounding Area!

  
  
  

  

  Join the waiting list for January 2025 classes here!

  
  

   Sing and Sign face-to-face classes: 

  Monmouth / Lydney / Undy / Chepstow

  We have 3 age appropriate classes to choose from...

  Babes: 0 - 5 months (at start of term)
  Stage 1: 6 - 14 months
  Stage 2: 14 months - around 2yrs

  For more details about what to expect in each stage, please see the 'more info' tab above. 

  
  

  
  

  
  

   Sing and Sign @Home 

  Not quite ready to venture to a venue? Can't find a class time to suit? Going back to work? ... No need to miss out on the fun!

  Sing and Sign@Home lets you join in at home at a time to suit you.

  Our @Home courses have been fantastically well received by parents and babies alike. Each lesson mirrors exactly what we cover in our face-to-face classes and is available for 7 days so you can come to class as often as you like each week! 

  We have 2 online classes to choose from...

  @Home Stage 1: babies 6 - 16 months
  @Home Stage 2: toddlers 14 months+

  Click here for more details and/or to book your place

  
  

  
  

  A little bit about me...

  Hello! My name is Beccy Durman and I am thrilled to be bringing Sing and Sign classes to the families of Chepstow and the surrounding area. After taking a break from my career as a Primary School teacher, I decided not to return but to channel my teaching skills and experience in to my passion - baby signing!

  I first discovered Sing and Sign in 2007 when my eldest son and I attended classes in Bristol. We immediately fell in love with this wonderful new way of communicating with each other and the classes soon became a weekly highlight. The CDs were listened to over and over on long car journeys and the DVDs were invaluable, keeping him occupied and reinforcing the signs at the same time. Two more children later and we were completely hooked! My two older sons even loved signing with my daughter and revisiting all the songs. It was a lovely way for them all to bond.  I found that signing with my children really helped to reduce their frustrations too. All of the guess work of trying to understand their needs was taken away as they could easily tell me what they needed or how they were feeling.

  I decided to become a Sing and Sign teacher in 2014 and have never looked back! I would love to take you and your little ones on this amazing journey and look forward to meeting you all soon!

  Tel: 07815 122719
  Email: beccydurman@singandsign.co.uk

  
  

• More Info

  Frequently Asked Questions

  
  

   Which class should I choose? 

  All of our classes come with online, on demand Sing and Sign @ Home sessions to watch at home, revisit what you have learned in the classes and to share with partners or other members of the family. 
  

  
  Babes: From newborn - around 5 months (at the start of term)
  A lovely gentle music class with a strong emphasis on communication. The course introduces the basics of the Sing and Sign approach for those keen to sign with their babies. We also show you lovely adaptations of familiar songs to enjoy with your baby while face to face, during nappy change, bath time, bedtime and gentle play.  Classes last approximately 35 minutes with some social time at the end of the session. 

  If booking a 10 week course, the price includes your own copy of The Jessie Cat Songbook.  This beautifully illustrated book also contains 2 CDs/track download codes so that you can repeat the songs as many times as you like with your baby between classes

  
  Stage 1: From around 6 months - around 16 months 
  Babies usually start Stage 1 from around 6 months old but there is flexibility in this - I am more than happy for younger babies to join if parents are keen (although no younger than 4 months).
  

  Babies naturally use gestures to communicate with others.  Through song, rhyme, toys and props we build on this natural stage of development by introducing signs such as “milk”, “eat”, “more” and “all gone” alongside signs to do with routine such as bedtime, bath time, nappy changing and going out. We also learn signs to do with babies' interests such as animals and vehicles.  Classes last approximately 40 mins with some social time at the end of the session. (COVID guidelines permitting)

  As part of the course fee, you will also be given Gold membership access to our online support group - The Jessie Cat Club.  Here you have access to:

  • 200+ signs to view in video clips
  • Two 15-minute films directly supporting our Stage One curriculum, one covering songs and signs from weeks 1-5 and one covering weeks 6-10
  • A print-out facility so you can share your baby’s favourite signs with family/nursery
  • Our classic ‘Sing and Sign - Baby Signing the Fun Way’ (DVD streamed)
  • 2 interactive "Where is Jessie?" games

  There are over 100 signs covered during this course.  It is therefore recommended that you complete 2 terms of Stage 1 before moving on to Stage 2.  Some families have even come back for a 3rd term of Stage 1 before moving on.  Repetition is key when signing!

  
  

  Stage 2: From around 14 months + 

  Please note you do not have to have completed Stage 1 classes in order to join us in Stage 2.  Please email me to discuss.
  These classes are great for toddlers aged 14 months+.  By now your child will probably have completed two terms of Stage 1 ( some exceptions will apply) and may be starting to toddle or even run about.  You both know the routine of the classes and many signs. Well, now the fun really begins!  Not only do we cover new concepts and signs relevant to their increasing interests and awareness but also they have the opportunity to move around with the music and become an active participant in class.  All taught through our fun songs, the curriculum includes colours, the weather, simple counting and we even have a great song for potty training!  We will also be learning the phonetic alphabet, which is a big help when your child is ready for school.  Your baby is learning at a fast pace, so again, we recommend attending 2 terms of Stage 2 to practise all of these new and slightly more challenging concepts.

   
  

   What can I expect from Sing and Sign classes?  

  - Key signs which are taught through lively, fun and interactive songs and rhymes.
  

  - Signs of the Week to practise at home.

  - Stimulating props, including our beloved mascot, Jessie Cat.

  - Percussion time to develop your child’s listening skills.

  - Small class sizes in a relaxed atmosphere.

  I limit the number of families per class depending on the room size. This keeps classes small, friendly and relaxed but it does mean places are limited so book early! 

  
  

   How much does it cost? 

  The cost varies depending on term length and which stage you are interested in attending.  Please click here to find out the cost of this term.

  In order to guarantee your space, payment is required before the course commences.

  
  

   Is Sing and Sign for me? 

  If you are keen to develop your little one's communication, develop their speech and language and reduce frustration then YES!  There may also be chance for you to attend a taster session before you commit to a whole term.  Please message me to enquire.

  Find out what my families think of the classes by clicking here.

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Nurseries

  Does your child attend a nursery?

  Sing and Sign now has an excellent Nursery Affiliation Programme which will train staff on their own premises at a time to suit all. We will teach staff a selection of signs, tailor made to the nursery's individual requirements and design an Individual Action Plan to inspire staff and make signing fun and easy to incorporate. Following training, the nursery will receive a Certificate of Sing and Sign Affiliation together with ongoing access to our signing resources and a complimentary package of products.
  

  If your baby attends nursery or you know of a childcare facility that would be interested in receiving further information, please do pass our details on or contact us via email

  These are the nurseries who are currently affiliated with Sing and Sign and are using our approach through their settings

  Monmouth Day Nursery - Monmouth

  Mathern Day Nursery - Mathern / Caerwent

  Stepping Stones - Magor

  The Hollies Nursery - Cardiff

      

  
  

• Gallery

  Silver Award Winners of 'Best Baby and Toddler Activity' in the Loved by Parents Awards