Mum of two Suzanne Jones has set up a baby Sing and Sign group for fellow mums and babies in the Leighton area at Stanbridge and Tilsworth Community Hall.

Sing and Sign is an award-winning, nationally-recognised company which specialises in signing using simple gestures to help your baby communicate before speech and can help to ease pre-verbal frustration, enhance baby's speech development and help build confidence and self esteem. Suzanne draws on her own experiences using sign with her sons and found it particularly beneficial to know when they were in pain through teething.

Suzanne says: "Sign has helped the boys' emotional development and instead of expressing emotions through crying and tantrums they were able to express their feelings through signing."

To add to the fun, signs and gestures are taught through music using songs, instruments and props, not forgetting Sing and Sign's mascot Jessie cat – a real winner with the tiny tots.

Suzanne said: "Each week we will cover a different topic such as bath time, bed time, animals, vehicles, changing nappies, going out and many more. Babies are free to crawl or toddle while enjoying the music and social aspect of the class while mums and dads learn the signs. The course runs for 10 weeks covering over 100 signs which we repeat many times so learning them is quite effortless and great fun!"

Classes run from 10.30am every Monday. Visit the website on www.singandsign.com for more details.