Sing and Sign baby signing classes in... Oxford, Witney & Woodstock

• About Me

  Welcome to Sing and Sign Oxford!

  
  
  

  
  

  Welcome to Sing and Sign! I'm Emily, and I love that it's my job to bring our award-winning online courses to the families of Oxford and surrounding areas, with the help of Nicola, Maria and our friend, Jessie Cat!
  We'd love to welcome you and your little one to one of our classes in Witney, Kidlington or Oxford, or our award-winning online streamed courses.
  You can see the full timetable here.
  What is Sing and Sign?
  Our classes are full of musical fun and so much more!
  Which course should I book?
  If you have a baby or toddler from 6 months to 2 years old, please scroll down for all the info.
  For babies under 6 months old, join us for
  

  
  

  

  In-person courses in Littlemore and Witney

  • in-person classes in the venue of your choice

  • a goody bag with everything you need to join in with the sessions

  • access to a weekly online session to stream when it suits you, to remind you of the songs and games you've learnt and enjoyed, plus more music to stream

     
  Sing and Sign Babes is designed for babies under 6 months old, who simply LOVE to watch and play with their carers. We teach you simple songs, games and rhymes, along with a few age-appropriate signs, while you sing them to your baby as they lie on the floor, on your lap, or in a chair, watching you, whether you choose online only, or add face-to-face classes.

  
  
  

  Join a course now
  For families with older babies and toddlers, come and join the fun in one of our venues (Witney, Littlemore, Summertown or Kidlington), or online.

  
  
  Stage 1: is for babies from 6 -14 months old. We have lots of fun with babies' favourites: vehicles and animals, teach you lots of songs and signs for your daily routine: going out, mealtimes and nappy changing and enjoy peekaboo games too.
  Stage 2: is for older babies and toddlers, from approx 14 months to talking. We explore tricky ideas in your little one's world, such as colours, manners, weather and opposites, all through action songs, counting games and movement.

  
  

  

  
  
  

  10-week Stage 1 or 2 course: £85
  (including weekly streamed lesson and in-person class each week)
  Your safety is our priority and you can rest assured that we have carried out thorough risk assessments, completed training and have cleaning and social distancing measures in place to keep everyone safe and healthy when coming to our sessions.
  We will be running face-to-face sessions in:
  

   

  • Littlemore (Mondays)
  • Summertown (Tuesdays)

  • Kidlington (Wednesdays)

  • Witney (Thursdays and Fridays)

  
  Book now
  
  
  

  What will we be doing to make classes safe for everyone?
  We continue to do all we can to keep everyone safe and healthy. 
  We will be cleaning high-touch surfaces between classes (door handles, taps, etc) and provide hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes wherever needed.
  Class sizes will be smaller, so each family has enough space.
  Rooms will be well-ventilated to keep the air fresh.
  We have re-introduced props and instruments that the babies and toddlers can explore and share. These will be cleaned between sessions, but you are always welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
  
  

  
  
  

  

  10 week Stage 1 or 2 course: £50
  We have put together a whole term of classes for you to enjoy with your little one in your own home. The online sessions feel much like our much-loved classes, with weekly themes linked throughout whichever package you choose to join:

  ·  discover how baby signing can help you and your baby or toddler communicate more effectively. Learn over 100 simple signs the easy way - through action songs and explanations from experienced teachers who've all used baby signing with their own families.

  ·  10 interactive sessions, each with a theme and a new class each week, with each class remaining online for the whole week, when you like, as many times as you like; pause, rewind and re-watch! 

  ·  a host of lovely Sing and Sign teachers introducing each week's theme and key signs, sharing pictures and songs; playing peekaboo with our friend Jessie Cat; encouraging you and your little one to join in playing instruments and some surprises from the props bag to help us with some nursery rhyme songs.

  ·  12 month's Gold membership to the Jessie Cat Club, with extra videos, support for each week of the course, a dictionary of signs and interactive peekaboo games.

  You can see a preview of our fantastic Sing and Sign @ Home classes .
  Book your course here.
  I understand that many of you may be trying to limit screen time with your little ones, as I do too with my own children. These videos are designed be be interactive and something to enjoy together, rather than to be passive viewing. It is also worth remembering that while our live and streamed classes are great fun for little ones, our core aim at Sing and Sign is to teach those who look after your little one the principles behind baby signing and the useful signs to use. You can always watch them without your little one (with a glass of something cold, or mug of something warm!) to learn the songs and signs, then stream from a phone through a speaker and just listen to the class with your baby, perhaps just choosing one or two sections to watch together, for example, Jessie playing peekaboo. It's a great time to get other family members involved too.

  About me
  I started my Sing and Sing journey 8 years ago, when my daughter was 6 months old and I joined a class along with my lovely NCT group. The babies adored the fun, interactive classes and we loved watching their excitement when Jessie Cat played peek-a-boo each week! By the end of our first term, my little girl (also Jessie!) was signing a few words. It was so exciting to see her joy as she realised we understood what she meant. As the following term progressed, we realised what a lot she could tell us about her world: that she’d seen a plane; had heard a bird or wanted a snack.
  Soon, she was chattering away, but we all carried on signing, as our little boy had arrived. He also loved the classes, although I had to learn a whole new set of signs to keep up with his obsession with vehicles! He used signing even more than his sister, which definitely alleviated his frustrations before he could speak.
  Both of our children (now 9 and 7) have a lot to say and I believe that signing opened up a window in the early days, as they experienced the joy of us understanding what they meant, which encouraged them to communicate. They still use the occasional sign for things that are harder to express with words, like ‘sorry’, ‘I’m worried’, or when they really want to share something! 
  Now that my babies are no longer babies, I am loving being a part of other families’ experiences. It’s wonderful when a parent excitedly tells me that their child has learnt a new sign and a real privilege to witness little ones signing in class, and the older ones even starting to join in the singing too!

   

• More Info

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  What should I expect from the classes?

  Classes are very relaxed and good fun!

  We keep class sizes small  so you and your baby can enjoy an intimate environment and the social aspect of class and remain at a safe distance from other families.

  Classes are 35-40 minutes long and then you are welcome to stay for 5-10 minutes of play and chat at the end. This is also a great time to ask your teacher any questions not answered during singing and signing time.
  

  We learn all the signs through our easy to learn action-songs. Don't worry if you can't sing ... you don't have to!

  Which Class Should I Attend?
  

  We have 3 courses, with each tailored specifically to your baby's stage of development:

  Sing and Sign Babes is designed specifically for the youngest babies, from birth to 6 months. The aim of these classes is to build the exceptionally important framework for good communication through our magic ingredient... music! The classes encourage you and your baby to have fun with games and songs to stimulate their senses, along with our Sing and Sign staple ingredients - repetition, anticipation, praise and - of course - Jessie Cat. We also include some basic signing. This format has been specifically designed for younger babies who are pre-Stage 1. It is only suitable for babies who are not yet crawling (rolling over or sitting up is fine). 

  Sing and Sign Stage 1 is ideal for babies from approximately 6 months to around 14 months old. In general babies need to be sitting unaided for this class, as this is predominantly a signing class. There’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained with pictures, songs, music, props and more, and we have weekly topics relevant to your baby’s age and development. 

  It is quite a big step from Stage 1 to Stage 2, so most people come to Stage 1 for two terms before attending Stage 2. There are so many benefits to coming back for another Stage 1 course:

  • * there's a lot to take in during your first term and you'll see around 150 signs used in classes! Parents often find that the second time, they pick up lots of new signs that they'd not noticed, or that are only now useful as their baby's interests are emerging.
  • * during your first Stage 1 term, there was a lot for your baby to take in, too. Second time around, they tend to engage much more with the pictures, props and routines of class, as they know what to expect.
  • * as adults, we tend to want variety in our lives, but babies thrive on repetition and familiarity. The course is designed with speech and language therapists who carefully considered the repetition within each session and each term.
  • * younger babies will be benefiting hugely from you signing at home, as it helps them to understand more of what you say. As you continue to add to the signs you use, you are furthering their understanding, helping them to take in more of what's happening in class, too. As babies start to sign, they often pick up new signs quickly and those in the Stage 1 curriculum are most relevant to younger toddlers.

  Sing and Sign Stage 2 classes are for the walking toddler - from approximately 14 months to speaking (2-3 years). The classes involve lots more signs, lots more movement and topics to related to the developing toddler's world such as colours, weather, being helpful and phonics. 

  The age ranges are to be used as guides and each baby is different.

  Please contact me if you are unsure which class would be best for you and your little one. 

  To view classes in action and to find out from parents what you can expect at each of the three stages of Sing and Sign click here. 

  
  

  How Much Does It Cost? 

  Stage 1 & 2 courses are 10 weeks long.

  Sing and Sign @ Home: £50, including 10 online lessons - one to stream each week whenever you like, plus a weekly email with hints and tips, and 12 months' access to the Jessie Cat Club, which gives 12 months' membership to weekly pages to support the course, plus video clips to help you remember the signs covered in class and a signing dictionary to support your signing at home, There's lots more information here. 

  Sing and Sign @ Home, plus  face-to-face classes in a venue: £85, including the full @Home course and a weekly session in your chosen venue. You will also receive a goody bag with everything you need to join in the class, so that there is no sharing of props or resources.

  Sing and Sign Babes @ Home plus classes in a venue: £70. 10 in-person sessions at the venue of your choice,  plus a weekly session to stream from our online platform.

  Due to limited numbers per class you will need to book and pay prior to term starting. (Early booking is advisable). Payment is by credit/debit card at time of booking.  

  Book my class now!

   

  I Have twins/triplets - How Many Places Do I Pay For?

  We love to welcome families with twins or multiples and the great news is that you only pay for one space, whether you choose an online or in-person course

  
  I Have An Older Child - Can They Come Too?

  It's wonderful to get the whole family involved with signing and older siblings often love the online classes as much the babies and toddlers!

  Due to limitations on space in our venues, please get in touch before booking if you plan to bring an older sibling to Stage 1 or 2 classes.

  
  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch on 07795 005832

  To book your place, please click on the link. Book my class now!

  Free taster sessions are also offered – follow my Facebook page to find out where and when.

  We hope you can join us!

   

• Nurseries

  Local Nurseries with Sing and Sign Affiliation

  Sing and Sign 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.

  It has been a pleasure to work with the staff at the following settings, who have recently all been trained to use the Sing and Sign approach with the babies and children in their care.

  
  

  

  
  

  Sandfield Day Nursery, Oxford 

  Click here

  
  

  Julia Durbin Day Nursery, Oxford

  
  Click here
  

  

  Leafield Pre-school
  click here
  

  
  

• Gallery

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