More youngsters than ever are taking up baby sign language, which allows kids to communicate with their parents before they can talk. And mums and dads are learning the skills, too.

Babies Can Sign teacher Vicki Gilbert is taking the colourful, noisy sessions to schools and family centres across Leeds, including new sessions in Rothwell, after working with 125 children in one week in Horsforth, Rodley and Yeadon.

Vicki, 35, said: "I'm amazed by the response to the classes. I'm even looking for a new teacher to work with me because I've had that much interest.

"It seems like more parents are encouraging their kids to take part and it's not surprising, because there's lots and lots of benefits.
"Babies can get very frustrated and sign language allows them to communicate their needs and feelings before they can talk.
"For older children, it's also very beneficial for things like literacy and is even shown to increase IQ."

Vicki, who lives in Yeadon with her husband Sean, used British Sign Language to communicate with her own children, Hope, six, and Jack, two, after learning the skill at college 10 years ago.

In 2006, she launched Babies Can Sign, which teaches youngsters the basics of British Sign Language using colourful characters like Signing Sam, as well as songs, cuddly toys and a bubble machine.

She added: "I did signing with Hope and because it was so successful and worked so well, I wanted to teach it to other babies.
"The little ones do enjoy it but they're not concentrating all the time, which fine, because I'm also teaching the parents to sign. The hour-long sessions allow them to communicate with their babies for the other seven days, 23 hours of the week.

"There's a relaxed atmosphere in the classes and I think that's why it's so successful with a lot of families."

One of the venues for the new classes is Queensway Children's Centre in Yeadon, which was opened by the Lord Mayor of Leeds last Thursday.
In November, classes will also start at Rothwell Baptist Church, Wood Lane, Rothwell. For more details, visit www.babiescansign.co.uk, call 07742 296160 or email babiescansign@-tconnect.com.

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