Our lovely Rhyme and Sign books have a wide appeal.

We originally developed these books to support our baby signing classes which mean that they were aimed, really, at little ones between the ages of 18 months and 4 years.

BUT! Schools have contacted us to say that they love them for their reception and KS1 children.

Babies also seem to love them as they can spot their favourite characters as the stories build.

And for slightly older children, for whom English is an Additional Language, or who have Special Educational Needs, they provide a great language bridge.

With the push to bring BSL into schools, our Rhyme and Sign signed stories are perfectly placed to introduce simple signs from an early age and will develop with children through pre-school, reception and Key Stage 1.

No of course you don’t!

Rhyme and Sign Adventures stand alone as beautiful stories that everyone will love and you’ll get a deep enjoyment from them whether you sign or not.

Obviously we’d love you to give it a go – using sign language deeply embeds language and children of all ages really enjoy learning it.

You’d be amazed at how it aids memory and how much you’ll like using your hands to talk too.

If you are feeling stuck, let us know! We’ll be happy to help.

Laughter, smiles and eye contact form the very best part of cognitive development and a platform for peak learning experiences. 

They fire off all sorts of amazing connections in the brain, establishing strong bonding and attachment foundations.

Well loved stories, in conjunction with signing, provide young children with the experience of being deeply cared about, snuggled on a special lap with a favourite book.

This is our earliest journey into literacy and language; the undivided attention of story time, with a favourite book, confirms to our little ones that they matter.

Some studies put children, who have learned to use signing alongside speech, as 12 IQ points ahead of their peers. 

But there is so much more to signing than being  more advanced in literacy, communication and language.

We’re discovering more and more about the importance of strong attachment in early childhood. 

Signing helps develop this connection at a deep level and embeds in little children that they are seen, that they matter, that their ‘voice’ is important.

Children who have the advantage of clear communication opportunities, where the guesswork of what they want or need simply disappears, are more independent and far less stressed – particularly important as we rebuild their confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Independent and happy, signing children are motivated to learn and engage with new activities. Not only that, they develop more confidence, are more resilient and have greater self esteem.

After lots of studies we now know that children are kinaesthetic learners. 

This means that they learn more ably when they are able to move their bodies and are physically involved with what they are doing.

Signing is quite literally ‘language in motion’ and it has amazing benefits for all children!

When you use sign language with speech, children learn to connect both the sign and the word. Research has shown that it is this connection that helps little ones retain and recall information effortlessly, giving them a head start in communication, literacy and language. This has never been more important than right now. 

Signing is amazing for developing gross and fine motor skills. 

It provides gentle exercise for the small muscles of the hands which in turn improve strength and dexterity.

Fine motor skills are a crucial foundation for writing and drawing but also enable increased independence for those skills we need throughout life – the ability to dress ourselves (zips and buttons), brushing teeth – and later on, better control with cookery skills like chopping and peeling.