Rachael Collier-Thomas
Classes offered:
I started my Sing and Sign journey when my girls were babies. It was our favourite mum/baby group and one we both really enjoyed. It wasn’t over stimulating and I loved how engaged they were with it. We also love music and singing so this was the perfect class for us! There is something about singing that nourishes the soul!
When they started to Sign it was wonderful to see how much they understood and how they could communicate with me. Both my girls signed “more” as their very first sign. Which is it not too uncommon, because baby realises they can get more of what they want, more cuddles, more of their favourite food.
I am now in my third year of teaching Baby Sing and Sign, which is truly rewarding and a joy. I am interested in child/baby development and any concept which further supports learning and communication.
The Sing and Sing approach is teaching the parents to communicate with their preverbal babies, through baby sign. Babies instinctively gesture and we are giving them additional gestures, as means of communication, which helps to avoid frustration and upset. The key is to consistently sign at home with baby, during their routines. The repetition in context, supports their understanding of the signs. In class parents/carers learn the signs and babies just enjoy the songs and social aspect.
We teach through nursery Rhymes and music, because not only are these great fun, but these really help to stimulate a baby’s language development, memory and attention skills.
When we are signing to baby, we always keep it simple by signing one word per sentence and we always say the word as we sign it. We are encouraging speech, instead of replacing it.
It is really special to be part of other mum’s/baby’s Sing and Sign journey; seeing many come back and repeat terms with me and watch the little ones develop and grow through each term. It never ceases to excite me when they sign in class or I hear about how they sign at home.
I look forward to welcoming you and your baby to my classes!
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![A warm intro to Rachael Collier-Thomas.
Rachael has been teaching the award-winning programme Baby Sing and Sign since 2021. Developed with speech and language specialists, it’s based on babies’ intuitive use of gestures as a way of learning to talk. It gives them extra gestures to communicate their needs, avoiding frustration and aids parent/baby bonding.
The programme teaches through music, a fun way to learn, with the songs and repetition helping with sequential memory. Baby sign will help your baby “talk” to you before speech!
Rachael is starting two Baby Sing and Sign sessions in September at Moon, Mondays at 9.45am (15 to 36 months) and Thursdays at 1.45pm (5 to 15months) – find out more via our bio.
Here’s more about Rachael 👇
My interest in child development was ignited by my journey as a mother of two free-spirited, strong-willed girls (4 and 6 years). I am passionate about raising my girls to be empowered and confident women.
I quickly realised my eldest could understand everything I said to her when she was preverbal; this is why baby sign really appealed to me. It gave her an additional gesture to be able to communicate with me.
I’m delighted to now be teaching my own classes and helping other parents and babies communicate and bond.
Apart from Moon, I also teach classes on Tuesday at the Archway Methodist Church, Wednesday at Our Lady Help Church in Kentish Town and on Friday at Kentish Town Community Centre.
My happy places:
I’m in my element by the sea! Beautiful sunsets, paddling in the surf, swimming in the waves and paddle boarding with my girls and partner.
Equally, walking and meditation in ancient forests, (favouring bluebell season,) hugging trees and walking bare foot on the earth with my family, make me happy.
I’m an amateur aerialist and only have time for aerial silks now, but really enjoy doing this once a week.
I love cooking and baking with love and good intention for my loved ones.
Creativity and art are a vital part of life. Watercolour and colour pencil artwork is something I love to do and I encourage creativity with my girls. We do quite a bit of arts and crafts over the weekends.
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