Cardiff

Maria McGuigan - 029 20307385 - Email

Page updated 7th September 2010

Welcome to Sing and Sign in Cardiff,

Penarth and Dinas Powys

Hello! My name is Maria and I run Sing and Sign classes in the Cardiff, Penarth and Dinas Powys areas.

I first started baby signing with my youngest daughter Grace (pictured next to me, above, on a visit to one of my classes). I purchased the wonderful Sing and Sign DVD when she was just a couple of months old and we started attending baby signing classes when she was 6mths. Although she didnt actually start signing herself until a few months later, she very quickly recognised some of the signs. For example, when she was hungry I only had to sign "milk" for her to instantly calm down because she knew it was on its way!

Once she had learnt to do some signs herself there was no stopping her and she particularly loved the animal signs! Frequently when out on walks she would sign "dog" or "cat" when she saw one and it was lovely to be able to have "conversations" with her about what we could see.

I am strongly convinced that signing has had a huge impact on her speech development. At her eighteen month check the health visitor asked if she had "four or five words" and was a bit taken aback to hear that in fact she could say over 200!

I was delighted to become the first Sing and Sign franchisee in Wales in 2007 and classes have proved even more popular here than I had hoped! The sessions are fun and relaxed and because we limit numbers the atmosphere is always intimate and friendly. Many parents have told me that Sing and Sign is the highlight of the week for both them and their baby. Click on the "More Info" tab above to read some comments from parents who have attended my classes.

Jo Ratner is your teacher for classes in Canton, Penarth and Dinas Powys.

Places in each class are strictly limited so if you would like to experience these award-winning classes for yourself please contact me for an enrolment form as soon as possible in order to guarantee your choice of class.

We look forward to meeting you and your baby soon.

Photographs - Katie Barrett (copyright)

Please see the "More Info" page for details of upcoming taster sessions

Do you go to a baby/toddler group, or meet with your
post natal friends for coffee? I will come along and do a FREE demo class there for you. Contact me to arrange it.

Autumn Term starts 15th September 2008 and will run for 11 weeks at a cost of £55

Term Dates for 2010

Spring Term: 11th January - 26th March

No Half term break

Summer Term: 19th April - 9th July

Half Term 31st May - 4th June

Autumn Term 13^th September – 3^rd December

Half Term 25^th October – 5^th November

The Autumn term course will run for 10 weeks at a cost of £50.00.

Classes will be held at:

Day	Time	Venue	Stage
Monday	9.45am	Cafe Junior Fanny St. Cathays *	Stage 2
Monday	10.45am	Cafe Junior Fanny St. Cathays *	Stage 1
Monday	10.30am	Albert Road Methodist Church Penarth	Stage 1
Tuesday	9.30am	The Ararat Centre The Common Whitchurch	Stage 2
Tuesday	10.30am	The Ararat Centre The Common Whitchurch	Stage 1
Wednesday	9.45am	The Scout Hall Highwalls Road, Dinas Powys	Stage 2
Wednesday	10.45am	The Scout Hall Highwalls Road, Dinas Powys	Stage 1
Wednesday	1.20pm	Christ Church Scout Hall Lake Road North Roath Park	Stage 1
Friday	1.30pm	Canton Community Hall Leckwith Rd Canton Cardiff	Stage 1

* Includes a free 1hr play session in the café after class.

Please click here to check availability and book your class

Please note - if your preferred class is full then please contact me to go on the reserve list as babies being babies, routines can change, occasionally forcing people to move to a different class or drop out before term starts.

Additional course notes:

· Courses run for 10-12 weeks roughly in line with school terms

· You only pay one fee if you have twins

· Places are taken very quickly, so please book early

· I operate on a first come first served basis

· If your preferred course is full please still get in touch with me to go on the reserve list in case a place becomes available

· For map please click on your preferred venue

Not sure which class to choose?

Stage 1: These classes are ideal for babies 6/7mths +. The classes are great fun and ideal if you have little or no signing experience. The Stage 1 curriculum covers babies’ basic routines such as mealtime, bath-time, nappy change and bedtime. It also offers additional signs to do with babies’ interests such as animals, vehicles, etc. There are well over 100 signs covered during the weeks of Stage 1. It is recommended to complete 2 terms of Stage 1; you will find that as your baby develops you will pick up different signs that become more relevant in the subsequent term. There are many mums who have come back even for a 3rd term of Stage 1.

Stage 2: These classes are great for toddlers aged 14 months +. By now your child will have completed two terms of Sing and Sign (some exceptions apply) and may be starting to toddle, if not run about, possibly even attempting their own conversation with a few words. You both know the routine and many signs. Well, now the fun really begins. Not only do we have new concepts and signs relevant to their increasing interests and awareness but this is their opportunity to move around with the music and become an extremely active participant in class. The curriculum covers colours, the weather, simple counting and we even have a great song for potty training…. Also you’ll be able to learn the phonetic alphabet. If you are already enjoying the benefits of Stage 2 you will be pleased to know that you and your child will be able to continue to learn and practice all of these new and slightly more challenging concepts for another term.

If your child is old enough to attend Stage 2 but you haven’t done any signing please do get in touch with me as it might be possible for you to go straight into Stage 2.

All images on Cardiff webpages by Katie Barret (copyright)