Barclays Trading Places Awards - 31st July 2008

TalkFirst is awarded North West Regional Finalist in Barclays Trading Places Awards. The winner of the regional heat will be announced in a few weeks time. This is yet another 'sign' (pardon the pun!) which demonstrates that we really are number one for quality, education and fun in the baby signing arena. 5th Aug STOP PRESS.... TALKFIRST IS NORTH WEST WINNER!

Julie Ryder, TalkFirst Founder

Go Flo, Go Flo - 7th July 2008

Baby Flo is emmigrating to Australia with her family soon but between packing up boxes her Mum said this. Thankyou so much for the fun we have had at your classes. Flo has really started to sign all the time now and is so easy to communicate with. The classes have been a fantastic experience and I have recommeded it to lots of other Mums. Flo loves all the music CDs, her baby Dexter and the Dictionary too! We'll be taking them all to Autralia and using them there - thanks again.

Click here for class details.

Flo Farrar, Rawtenstall Classes

Sign Explosion in Wiltshire - 9th June 2008

Grace Garner has signed MILK! We were getting a bit disheartened as she didnt seem interested in signing but now Im such a proud Mom!! (Jo Garner, Chippenham Class)................ Amber signed after 1 term and 1 session! She understands more signs than she can do but we can certainly see progress! (Clair Griffin, Chippenham Class)................ Timmy Crisp signed for sleep in his 3rd term. He understand many other signs including Food Drink Put coat on drive and walk. I know he understands them as they stop tantrums in seconds as he understands what we are about to do. (Rachael Crisp, Calne Class)................ Olivers been signing since approx 9 months and chats to us all the time now with signs. Its great to be able to communicate with him at such an early age! Thanks Talkfirst! (Debbie Ludkin Calne Class)................ Lori and Luci love signing. They mostly sign milk for everything at the moment but they also know washing and brushing hair plus a few others. (Niki Philpot, Lyneham Class)................

Click here to come to my classes

Jo TalkFirst Tutor, Wiltshire

Mum says thanks! - 15th February 2008

Hi Susan, just wanted to say thank you for the fab classes you take, it was Robyn's last class just gone and I think we stayed so long because we really enjoyed the classes. I think you (and Dexter) are great, the classes are well thought out and kept lively and interesting, just wanted you to know if you don't already that your doing a great job - good luck for the future, I'll be back with the next one!

Susan's class details are here

Rachel and Robyn, Rawtenstall Class

Big Dexter on TV - 23rd November 2007

Granada Reports came to TalkFirst Nelson to film Julie (TalkFirst Founder) and see some babies in action.

Big Dexter

Lois can sign! - 20th November 2007

Lois has been signing for duck and bird since about 11 months. She can also do poo and milk. This week, aged 13 months, she signed sand and don't touch. I am so proud of her.

Click here for tips on getting started!

Claire - Lois's Mum, Nelson Classes

Wiltshire's Signing Successes - 5th November 2007

Jo, I just wanted to say thank you for a great class today. Georgina, Amy and me had a wonderful time and we are learning so much. When we left your class today I signed home and Georgina smiled! Amy told everyone at tea what signs we learnt today and she picked up all of them. Have you thought about classes for older children???? We will see you next week. Have a good week Love Sarah. Hi Jo, the crocodile puppet was gorgeous, and Ewans been signing a great stop with a really fierce look on his face! I didnt realise I was doing that! See you next week. Niki

Click here for Wilshire class details

Jo Williamson Class Tutor

Dexter is on BBC Radio Lancashire - 2nd November 2007

Dexter made his radio debut on BBC Radio Lancashire. Dexter's Hello song was played on the Brett Davidson show. To see Dexter with Brett click on to Brett's gallery page.

Click here for BBC Radio Lancs Gallery

BBC Radio Lancashire

Old Mc Dexter had a farm - 30th October 2007

TalkFirst's sister company HearFirst delivers British Sign Language training to childcare professionals. As a bit of fun at the end of the course they sang "Old McDexter had a farm" in sign. The link takes you to the "Youtube" site

Youtube clip

Manchester Childcare Professionals

Julie Ryder -TalkFirst Founder shortlisted for top award - 29th October 2007

On the day he receives his Knighthood, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, entrepreneur and founder of easyJet and easyGroup, announces he is personally funding an annual GBP50,000 Disabled Entrepreneur Award with Leonard Cheshire. The award will be given in cash as a prize to the winner and the first year's competition and award will take place in 2007. "In line with my policy of repaying my debt to society I have decided to set up this annual award," said Stelios the serial entrepreneur and easyGroup chairman. Julie is in the final short list for the award which is announced at an award ceremony in London on the 29th November. Dec 07 news : TalkFirst announced Runner Up

click here for link to award website

Head Office

THANK YOU from Caroline and Charles - 28th October 2007

We have loved your class over the last 12 months. Charles is fabulous at signing, its so easy and so reassurring that both Mummy and Daddy can communicate pre-verbal language. He amuses himself with a book or toy and does the signs for himself. He even sings in sign, the hot number at the moment is incy-wincy - he's perfect at it. His tummy causes him great pain and frustration but at least he can tell us what he wants. Your classes have been thoroughly enjoyable. He is so much more advanced in his vocabulary for doing the signing not only is it so worthwhile it's so fun. I don't know why more mums don't keep it up for longer. We can no longer come to classes but we will still keep signing. Its a big part of what we do. We think you are fabulous - a huge thank you. It's a super job you do making such a difference to the world of new parents and babies alike.

Rossendale/East Lancs classes are here

Caroline and Charles, Rossendale Classes

Success in Devizes - 7th June 2007

Isabella Scammell has learn't lots of signs, but this week she learn't the signs for Cold,Up and Down, Tree, Love You. Grandad and Nana and the sign for "Baby Signing"! Reece Coates has learn't to sign for his milk and also for Daddy, Finished, Book and Up.

Proud Tutor (Jo), Devizes Class

Eve blows us away! - 18th May 2007

When Eve was 14 months old we did the sign for 'wind' in class. The next week we had extreme weather conditions. Each time we left the house she spent the whole time signing wind!

Eve, Nelson Classes

Early Starter - 18th May 2007

Kaitlyn signed her 1st sign to us (milk) at the tender age of 4 months. She is now 22 months old and knows at least 100 signs. She loves to sign colours and she plays signing 'hide' games. She has started putting extra words together relating to signs e.g. signs book and says 'read book'. WOW!

Kaitlyn Riley, Nelson Classes

Training for Childcare Professionals - 11th May 2007

13 childcare professionals attended British Sign Language Training arranged by TalkFirst and sister corporate training company HearFirst. All participants said the course was interesting and fun. So much so they have all signed up to do the follow on course next month! (If you would like training for a group of staff visit www.hearfirst.org.uk)

13 Happy Signers, Manchester Surestart Partnership

Well done Hugh! - 10th May 2007

Hugh is 12 months old and has just started signing. He can sign finished and drink.

Hugh Granville, Calne class

Proud Mummy - 10th May 2007

Daniel (Calven) signed his first sign milk at 11 months, soon followed by duck and home. He can now sign 8 different signs.

Proud Mummy, Calne class

Sign Explosion - 2nd May 2007

Connor's signing has exploded in the last 2 weeks. All of a sudden he is making over 40 signs. We had a day out at a farm last weekend and he was signing all the animal signs. Other visitors couldn't believe we were having a 2 way conversation with our baby. We are so pleased we persevered, it's well worth it.

Connor's Mummy, Rawtenstall Class

Jack Mosley - 2nd May 2007

Jack is signing all the time now - he is always signing. He loves coming to Susans classes and his best bit is meeting the other children. He loves to toddle round and just socialise. I enjoy learning the signs and all the singing.

Jack's Grandma, Rawtenstall Class

Archie is a star - 28th April 2007

Even though Archie is only 15 months he is signing most of the time. He can recognise all the signs I have shown him and can do over 40 himself. I did sign at home with my elder son Tom, but I am finding the classes are miles easier as Archie really relates to Dexter and that keeps him interested. Thanks.

Cheryl Rothwell, Nelson Classes

Super Classes - 15th March 2007

What super classes you run in Bacup. One family I work with attend your class and I am constantly amazed at the level of communication between Mum and baby. I am in no doubt that the signing has strengthened the bond between them. Keep up the good work!

Denise Stotan, Bacup and Stacksteads Surestart

Liverpool Childcare Professionals give TalkFirst the thumbs up - 14th March 2007

TalkFirst has delivered several 'Baby Signing for Professionals' training sessions to a total of 72 staff. The feedback from the sessions has been excellent and we are thrilled with the response. Thank you.

Sally Ross, PERC, Liverpool