Dandy Development

Rule Britannia!

Oh my goodness, just so much fun trooping the colour this week. Splashing red, white and blue everywhere for the King’s birthday celebrations and is there anything better than babies in crowns?!

If you have any photos of your little one in Theo crown, I’d love to see them!

Some helpful info if you are thinking of joining Dandy in the autumn...
👉 Can different adults bring little one?
Yes of course, this is absolutely fine. Signing works best when the whole family is involved so partners, grandparents and family members are always very welcome.
👉 Can I just book half a term because I'm going back to work then?
Not usually no, because it is very difficult to fill your place for the second half of the term. Never say never though, its always worth dropping me an email to see if I can make it work!
👉 Do you offer free trials?
Yes, but not as standard. The option isn't available on the website all of the time. If you message me I can turn the free trial option on for the class you would like to join and you are welcome to use the first class of term to see what Dandy is like and if it is for you.
👉 Do you do PAYG?
No, as a rule Dandy is book in advance because it is so popular. If you don't book for the whole term you are unlikely to be able to join us. However, if there is a space available I can offer you that place if you email me and organise it. Its a rare thing though!
👉 Can I change Dandy days each week?
No, I stick to strict low numbers in class and so once a class is full there isn't the opportunity to move classes regularly. However, if you are unable to make one or two classes in a term I will always do my best to get you in somewhere.
👉 I'm raising my baby bilingually, can we still sign?
Absolutely! Signing is incredible for this as it provides a visual cue that is constant in both language, actually help to make it all easier to learn.
👉 Where are you based?
In lucky Warwickshire! I am in Ryton On Dunsmore, Barford and Leamington. Dandy fills up quickly though and for the autumn term I already have limited availability. Book now via the website if you'd like to join us!

Always message me with any questions, I am always very happy to help where I can. I hope to share the Dandy fun with you very soon!

Bookings are NOW OPEN for Dandy's autumn term!

Dandy is a structured course of baby sign entwined in music and sensory fun. Grown ups learn the best techniques to support their little one's early speech development whilst the little ones have huge amounts of fun exploring and investigating!

Each of Dandy's Stages are specifically designed to delight, engage and maximise learning for that exact age group. Dandinos is for little babies 6w-6m, Stage 1 is for little ones 7m-13m and Stage 2 is for toddlers approx 14m-2.5yrs.With classes in Ryton On Dunsmore, Barford and Leamington, and at different times to suit every nap pattern there is a class for everyone!

the autumn term starts in September, which seems like a long way away, but you need to be organised if you'd like to join us! Get over to the website now to see where the remaining places are as Dandy is so popular!

Love this. A Dandy mummy said that is quite a shy and private person and didn't think baby classes would be right for her. But Dandy was in her village, on a day she could do, so she thought she'd give it a try. She said that they have loved every single class and they are now in their second term.

This is so true. Baby classes can seem daunting and a lot to step into on your own. But you are stepping into a room full or friends and a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. Your little one will love it, absolutely no doubt! That gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy top quality time together.

Make sure you join us this autumn - bookings open tomorrow!

Rain and water, water and rain!

Its been everywhere this week and not always in places we'd want it to be! The sign for 'water' is made with a flat hand, fingers gently stroking against the face twice, as if splashing the face.

I'm making a funny face in this photo because I am saying the 'w' sound at the beginning of water. It's really important to always say the word when you sign, that's how it supports speech development.

Why do we have a 'water' week in Dandy?

Water play is a great sensory experience as it uses all 5 senses. It is good for development in so many ways:
💧connections in the brain
💧vocabulary
💧spatial awareness
💧problem solving skills
💧gross and fine motor skills
💧 hand-eye co-ordination
💧 social skills
💧 simple capacity and conservation of space skills
and that's just a few of the benefits!

Water play is so easy to set up at home but we tend to leave it for bath time. Bath time is often when both you and your little one are feeling tired, if you bring out a kitchen tub with some warm water, a little bowl, a cup and a duck at another time in the day, different learning will take place. Even add in some citrus fruit, like we are doing this week, for extra sensory boosts! Open ended activities like water play will often keep little ones busy for longer, building concentration skills too.

Dandy is the ONLY class in Warwickshire that combines a structured course of baby sign with music and beautiful sensory fun. With baby sign, music and sensory experiences, your little one is getting the optimal combination for early development. Just look at all the benefits! It means you do not have to pay for a music class and a sensory class on top, you get it all, and incredible value for money, with Dandy.

Bookings open for September on Monday! Yes - you have to book this far in advance - Dandy is popular (because its so good!) and so you have to secure your place quickly!

A week on Saturday my son and I are doing the 10km WOLF run!

Lots of you know I've been training hard since January. It's all so that my son and I can hit this goal of completing the WOLF run and we hope to raise money for him to go on the World Challenge in 2027.

My son has had 3 knee dislocations and 3 major knee surgeries in the past 5 years which have wiped him out from sport and PE completely. He has been working to build back his muscles to run the 10k WOLF run before he turns 18.

I've managed to put on a lot of weight in the last 4 years and a medical condition, as well as plantar fasciitis, meant that I had stopped running. I've been working hard to get back to decent health, lose the weight and run the 10k WOLF before I turn 50.

So since January we have been training together! We have clawed our way back up to running 10+km and some of it is not too slow either (he can go a lot quicker than me!). These are a couple of photos from our training runs and my Strava. The chart shows the increase in my fitness (!) and then the stats from our most recent run. I’m super proud of my son for getting back to running, it’s not been easy, and he spends every run pulling me along, shouting motivation and encouragement. It's been such a wonderful thing to do together and I'm really looking forward to celebrating it all at the WOLF run.

If you fancy supporting us, any amount would be really appreciated. Thanks!

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-sayers?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

Tummy time at Dandinos 💕

There are lots of opportunities for quality tummy time built into every Dandy class. Tummy time makes the neck and shoulder muscles stronger so your baby can start to sit up, crawl, and walk. It also helps prevent flat spots on babies' head. Dandy's Dandinos support pillow is perfect to add a little support under the arms and shoulders to make early tummy time more enjoyable.

These little ones are using the pillow beautifully to perch up and watch what is going on. Watching me intently at the front and then exploring the sensory circle at their own pace. But there is never any pressure in Dandinos or in any area of the class. Some little ones are just starting their tummy time development and like short spurts. Some are getting really string and don't need the support pillow at all. Some little ones need hugs, holding or feeding and all of these are expected and completely accepted in Dandy. You are the expert when it comes to your little one so you know what's best for them and what they need. Dandy just provides the opportunities for you to choose from.

I have just sent out the priority booking link to everyone who has joined a waiting list. Just follow the link to secure your place. Please make sure you select the Sept-Dec term when you book.

I have had a high level of re-enrolments, which is the biggest compliment anyone could ever give me, but it does mean that there are some classes that are already nearly full. If you find that your first choice of class is full, please join the waiting list again as places do come up. Then, if you can join us at another class, book that one, and I can transfer your booking if a place come up. That way you don't miss out on the Dandy fun!

If you have any questions at all, please get in contact through socials or drop me an email. Bookings open on the website next Monday. Cannot wait to share the Dandy fun with you very soon!