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Creative Partnerships working with TalkFirst - 8th March 2010
TalkFirst delivered fabulous signing sessions for over 300 children at Cravenwood Primary School thanks to funding from the Creative Partnerships Scheme. Ofsted recognises the benefits of Creative Partnerships in its latest report called, Learning: creative approaches that raise standards.
More info?
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YouTube! - 5th March 2010
YouTube - See Dexter in action! Log on to our channel to sign and sing along with us!
click here
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Early Years Educator - 4th March 2010
Early Years Educator - Did you see us in February's edition? TalkFirst Baby Signing tutors offer childcare professionals training sessions throughout Lancashire.
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Facebook! - 4th March 2010
Be Dexter's friend on Facebook and get new rhymes to sign to each week!
click here
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Jo is nominated for an Award! - 3rd February 2010
Our very own TalkFirst Franchisee Jo Williamson has been nominated for an award in the Best National Baby And Toddler Development Activity newborn to 2 yrs award category! This is certainly a special tribute to Jo but to go through to the finals Jo needs more nominations. Please help us to send Jo to the Finals!
click here
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TalkFirst Baby Signing Franchise Recruitment - 30th January 2010
Are you lively & enthusiastic, passionate about baby signing? Do you have commercial awareness and the ability to get on with people? This could be for you! Our unique event is on Saturday 30 January 2010 in Rawtenstall, Rossendale BB4 6QX. Dont miss out on this fantastic opportunity to meet the team behind the business, see a class in action, talk to existing franchisees and see the franchise pack first hand. If this is YOU! Then contact us to book your place at info@talkfirst.net or tel 01706 872816. There is no obligation whatsoever - this is a chance for you to find out more.
Can't wait until 30th Jan? Read more here...
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TalkFirst Baby Signing featured on TV - 28th January 2010
Channel M is Manchester's local TV channel. We are featured tonight (Thurs 28th Jan) from 4pm -7pm. See lots of babies and toddlers signing and having fun! Thanks to all the Mums and children from the 9.30am Rawtenstall class and of course our fantastic baby signing tutor Susan Broxton.
click here to baby signers
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Helen is nominated for Award! - 28th January 2010
Our very own TalkFirst Franchisee Helen Webster has been nominated for an award in the Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity
award category! This is certainly a special tribute to Helen but to go through to the finals Helen needs more nominations. Please help us to send Helen to the Finals!
click here
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Susan is nominated for an Award! - 27th January 2010
Our very own TalkFirst Franchisee Susan Broxton has been nominated for an award in the Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s award category! This is certainly a special tribute to Susan but to go through to the finals Susan needs more nominations. Please help us to send Susan to the Finals!
Click here
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Alex makes page 3 in the news - 8th January 2010
Alex Wilson from Helmshore is such a star when it comes to his signing and talking. He is featured today with his Mummy on page 3 of the Lancashire Telegraph. Well done Alex. Keep signing!!
Alex attends classes in Rossendale with TalkFirst tutor Susan Broxton.
Read the full story here..
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Julie scoops regional final .. - 9th September 2009
Our very own Julie Ryder has been chosen to attend the National Sound Barrier Star Awards in London on the 17 September from the regional semi finals! She was chosen for her tireless work giving deaf and hard of hearing people training and work experience opportunities, and for her visits to the local cub and scout groups to help children learn sign language.
Julie, who was nominated for the awards by her husband Matt, was presented with a trophy at Specsavers, in King William Street, Blackburn.
Learn more
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NCT Cheeky Monkeys Event - 22nd August 2009
Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale NCT (National Childbirth Trust) are holding a cheeky monkeys tea party and TalkFirst baby signing is hosting a stand throughout the morning, so come along and join in the fun mums, dads, grandparents and most of all the children!
Learn more
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Change for Life Launch @ Picton Childrens Centre - 19th August 2009
Picton Childrens Centre Earle Road in Liverpool have kindly requested TalkFirst Baby Signing to attend their fantastic event on Wednesday 19 August 2009 between 1pm and 3pm. The event will be attended by over a 100 mums, children and professionals. TalkFirst will provide 2 sessions that encourages development of speech, language and communication using signs. This is a huge event so to find out more click on the link.
Learn more
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ChildCare Professionals! - 18th August 2009
TalkFirst Baby Signing is now in the top listings of providers in the training database for the Communication Trust help point. TalkFirst offers the appropriate skills and knowledge to be able to promote speech, language and communication development supporting children and young people as a valuable resource for all Early Years Practitioners who are interested in using signing in their setting to enhance outcomes under the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. If you are a nanny, child minder, nursery nurse, Children's Centre Manager or anyone else who is involved in the care of babies and young children then TalkFirst is the No1 training provider.
Learn more
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UK Register for Learning Providers - 11th August 2009
We are proud to announce here at Head Office TalkFirst Baby Signing courses are now included on the providers listings of the UK Register for Learning Providers. This unique website provides professionals, employers, learners and government agencies to a one stop shop of information within the learning and development sector!
Learn more
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Royal Invitation for TalkFirst.... - 15th July 2009
Directors of TalkFirst Matthew and Julie Ryder enjoyed a lovely day at the Queens Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 14 July 2009, in recognition of their work. They received the nomination following a week long visit to the company by Jim Law Deputy Director for Business Enterprise. 'A great big thankyou to Jim! The day was just perfect and we really did enjoy every minute of this prestigious invitation, said Julie Ryder
Learn more
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TalkFirst at the Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party - 19th June 2009
Julie Ryder, Kelly Woodward and Big Dexter will be joining the Cheeky Monkeys tea party at Pilsworth in Bury in association with the National Childbirth Trust... Come along and join in the fun at our fabulous tea party!!
Learn more
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Bring a Friend for FREE Week - 15th June 2009
Come and see how much your baby enjoys learning all about Dexter's furry friends! Its animal week - and we would like YOU to join us singing and signing with Dexter! Give baby a treat! For a class near you click below
Learn more
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An evening with John Treherne - Music in the Early Years, - 10th June 2009
TalkFirst have the pleasure of an evening with John Treherne, the theme is Music in the Early Years, on Wednesday 10 June at the Village Hotel in Bury at 6.30pm this is in association with Rochdale Children's Services. Come and see us to find out more information on TalkFirst early years professional training in signing!
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Dexter TalkFirst joins Facebook! - 19th May 2009
Hello dear friends, I have been very busy lately meeting my new friends in all the new classes up and down the country! Lots of you have asked me to join facebook so I can keep in touch on a daily basis. So come and join me, share your photos and exciting news! I cant wait to speak with you! Big Hugs!
Learn more
Dexter TalkFirst
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Deaf Awareness Week Event.... - 9th May 2009
Julie Ryder and Kelly Woodward are holding TalkFirst sessions at Bolton Science and Technology Centre, Minerva Road Bolton, 10am-3pm. The event will be opened by the Mayor of Bolton.
Kelly is doing a TalkFirst session for the pre school children and Julie is doing a signing and story telling session for 5-9 year olds. A FREE day for D/deaf or hearing impaired children (ages 0-18) and their families, bring your grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins. Lots of stalls giving free advice and information ask questions and meet other families. Childrens entertainer. BSL/SSE Interpreters. Musical performances, and workshops galore! And dont miss the fantastic Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the end of the day - prize for the best hat!
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Jack is having so much fun.... - 5th May 2009
One of our children is having so much fun with Dexter that his mum has very kindly sent us these comments, 'Jack and I really enjoy the classes. Its educational and fun, Jack loves joining in and interacting with other members, learning signs and doing the dancing and singing! Sharon is an excellent teacher and makes the class fun'.
We here at Dexter's head office are thrilled that another member is very happy!
Class details here
, Jack Walker and his mum, Heywood Baby Signing Class
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Who's in the News! - 28th April 2009
Ooooh I say......we have been joined in our business (for 1 week only!) by top London civil servant Jim Law, who is none other than Deputy Director for Enterprise in the Department for Business. As you can see Jim could not wait to swap his brief case for Dexter Puppet. The purpose of the visit was to shadow Julie the founder of TalkFirst and gain a valuable insight into the day to day running of a small business. Jim sat in on a Baby Signing class in Rawtenstall lead by our tutor Susan Broxton who insisted he shook his maracas and sang and signed with the rest of them!
Jim met Julie when TalkFirst won through to the final in the Barclays Trading Places Awards. Although his job is normally in London, he said he enjoyed the chance to get out and about and see how it was done, 'but coming into a business like this brings it home how hard some people work. It is an eye opener. This week has been very worthwhile, it has been brilliant'.
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Baby Signing is so easy to remember! - 6th April 2009
We know that having a baby can do strange things to a Mummy's brain! We were pleased to have this comment from Zachary's Mum..... I think the classes you run are excellent. We enjoy all of it and there is nothing we don't like. In fact I'm really impressed and I like the way the signs are taught. I find it easy to remember.............
We totally agree and know that our method of teaching you the signs is proven to work well over and over again with many sleep deprived parents!
Class details here
Zachary's Mum, Rossendale Baby Signing Classes
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Rochdale Childrens Services - thank you! - 27th March 2009
Congratulations and thanks to Denise Horrocks, Early Years Advisor at Rochdale Childrens Services for putting on a great conference on 27th and 28th March. The conference theme was ' Communication Friendly Spaces', Sharon Stone and Susan Broxton were our main tutors covering our stand.
Please click here if you would like professional training in your setting.
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Thank you for special moments ...from a Mum - 14th January 2009
I just want to thank you so much for the past year. We, especially Eliza, have thoroughly enjoyed attending your Tuesday class (at Whalley with Helen). Eliza has come on leaps and bounds with her signs and I feel, thanks to TalkFirst, that we are able to share some special moments together, especially when she starts a conversation with her signs. It's great to be able to understand her and be able to share her joy when she spots a bird, squirrel etc...which would have gone unnoticed if it wasn't for her signing them to me.
We have placed her certificate on her bedroom wall opposite her cot and every single night, since the Christmas party, she has screamed at the picture of Dexter and tells me she danced with him and she remembers that he gave her a book!
So, Helen, a big thank you for all your effort over the past year. I would definitely recommend this class to all my friends and Eliza and I wish you and all the class all the best for 2009.
Click here for details of this class
Michelle and Eliza, Whalley Class
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Amber signs more - 16th October 2008
Amber has made quite a bit of progress, she got stuck on about 6 signs for quite a while but suddenly has picked up the pace, she started doing more last week, I was soooo proud of her, I was not even aware that I was still doing it for her, she is only doing it with food, mostly fruit, but that is ideal. I think her favourite sign is 'bird' when she is watching In The Night Garden, she always does the sign and looks at us to make sure we are doing it as well. Just thought I would share progress.
To find some super duper signing classes in Wiltshire click here
Ambers Proud Mum, Wiltshire
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Communication is SO much easier! - 11th September 2008
Mae (Aged 2) comes to our classes at Giddy Kippers in Nelson.She has been coming to classes for over 12 months now and her Mum says "They are just good fun!" Not only that she says, "Communication is SO much easier, Mae's childminder has said the same."
Nelson Class details here
Mae's Mum, Nelson Classes
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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