BABIES are being taught sign language at classes recently set up in Mole Valley.
According to TinyTalk, which runs the scheme, "baby signing" allows "pre-verbal communication between babies and their carers".
Katherine Preston, who leads the classes in Dorking and Bookham, where she lives, said they give parents a way to "talk" to their very young children.
"Teaching families to understand each other better through baby signing is fantastic," she said.
"I enjoyed TinyTalk classes as a parent and was so thrilled at being able to communicate with my little ones so young that I wanted to help other families in my area benefit in the same way.
"It is really exciting for babies to realise that they are understood. The babies are so happy and the mums are usually even more delighted as they can't quite believe it.
"But it's true and it works. Everyone can happily understand each other, putting an end to the frustrating guesswork which would happen otherwise."
TinyTalk claims baby signing enhances maternal responsiveness to babies, which is linked to "cognitive and social development".
The organisation's stance was backed by the journal Child Development, which this year conducted a study of babies using sign language and found they "acquired the gestures and used them to communicate long before the onset of speech".
Ms Preston added: "The great news about baby signing, as opposed to other baby activity classes, is that the benefits of early communication really do extend to the whole family.
"Mum, dad, siblings, grannies and other loved ones can all learn to understand and communicate with their baby before they can talk."
Katie Mayne, founder of TinyTalk, said: "The aim of baby signing is to help parents and babies communicate before they are technically able to speak.
"Babies understand far more than they can express up to the age of about two years, and signing helps them communicate their needs and preferences during this time, preventing frustration and enhancing bonding."
Classes in Dorking take place at St Joseph's Catholic Church from 10.30 to 11.30am on Mondays.
The Bookham classes take place on Thursday mornings, from 9.45 to 10.45am, at the Old Barn Hall
Each session costs £6 each. For more information about the classes call Ms Preston on 07599 551882.
