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GETTING through to your child in the early months and years may seem like an impossible task with very little in the way of communication going on.

But don't be fooled by the endless babble, spontaneous throwing and seemingly random grabbing and pointing.

In fact, there is plenty new mums and dads can do to interact with their newborns.

Not only can it be fulfilling for parents but it sets your child on an early learning path to communicating with the outside world.

Don't underestimate what your child can learn - a baby's brain is like a sponge and is taking in more than you think.

The best way to teach your child early communication skills is through good old-fashioned playtime. Specifically through song, music, books and, more recently, signing.

Here, Mum About Town give you a guide to groups running in and around Southampton that are aimed at interacting with your child and having fun at the same time.

SIGNING
What: Sing and Sign Where: Sessions at Totton, Upham, Eastleigh and Hythe When: Throughout the week Why: Sign and Sing is just one of a number of baby signing classes throughout Hampshire. The aim is to teach basic signs for children to use in their everyday life.

Led by Christine Matthews, the classes are run at a number of locations. Parents sign up to a ten-week course at a cost of £50. Each week has a different theme where parents learn signs that babies can use, including signing for milk, if they are in pain or hungry.

Christine said: "We take babies from six months. It is amazing how much really young children are capable of learning. We don't stop singing through the sessions and use lots of visual things, you are more likely to remember something if you see it. The idea is for parents to practise the signs at home. Along with the signs they need to communicate we do a lot of fun signs for things - like animals with noises. It helps with learning language from an early age and is lots of fun and rewarding for parents as well."

Christine also does a number of demonstration sessions including one at the Border's bookshop at West Quay retail park in Southampton. She was a guest speaker at the parent and toddler group that runs every Wednesday from 11am.

What else: For more information about Sing and Sign log onto singandsign.co.uk or contact Christine on 023 8089 4132. For details of more baby signing classes in your area, log onto the Daily Echo website.

STORYTIME
What: Storytime for under-fives Where: Southampton Central Library When: Tuesdays 10am to 10.30am, with craft session afterwards Why: According to children's librarian Alison Biczysko it is never too early to show a child a book.

"Getting a baby familiar with a book is well worth it. Even in the early days when all they want to do is chew it or flick through it, it is from an early stage getting them familiar with the mechanics of a book. That will give them a real headstart when they get to school because they will already be familiar with the concept of a book and how it works.

"Reading to your child is invaluable - it doesn't have to be at a set time, although bedtime is usually when people do it. Your child loves listening to your voice and it doesn't matter what you are reading to them. Lots of bright pictures and things they can recognise like animals are a good idea - you can point to them or ask questions about what they can see.

"We loan out a range of books for young children and don't charge for damage as we know accidents happen."

The storytime session at central library encourage children to read and listen to storytellers and interact with the books.

Storytime session are run across the library service. Schemes are also staged during the holidays to keep up the children's interest in books while away from school.

The library also offers a range of books on CDs so travelling in the car can be a bit more fun.

What else: Last month saw Southampton launch a competition to find the city's favourite children's book. The annual reading challenge is aimed at children and parents who are asked to vote for their favourite book from a shortlist. It is in a bid for Southampton to be recognised as a reading city in 2008. For information about the competition, or to find out about storytime sessions near you contact the library service on 023 8083 2664.

l Bookbugs is a group aimed at young children's reading skills. It runs every Monday afternoon during term time at Sholing Junior school, log onto the Daily Echo website for details.

RAINBOW RHYMES
What: Rainbow Rhymes Where: Montfort Hall, Benedict Close, Romsey When: Mondays nought to one-year-olds, Tuesdays one to two-year-olds, afternoon sessions and a chance to meet other mums afterwards.

Why: Music is a well known way of teaching your child the art of communication and increase vocabulary from an early age.

Experienced early years teacher Liz Bailey decided to set up her own business, Rainbow Rhymes, with this in mind.

Leading children with songs, actions rhymes and using puppets and characters Liz aims to engage the children by learning through music.

"The benefits of learning through music and song are well known and it was something I focused on a great deal during my teaching. I have been gobsmacked with the response. I use a brightly coloured rag doll for much of the session and the children love her. I try to use as many props as possible which really engage the children."

Rainbow Rhymes was launched last month by Lib Dem MP Sandra Gidley. Due to demand two sessions are now being run at a cost of £3.75 each. Places can be booked in term time blocks, for more information contact Liz on 07717804002 or at bookings@rainbow rhymes.co.uk.

What else: Contact the Children's Information Service for details on music groups near you. The library service also runs a programme of rhyme time sessions for pre school children.

3:36pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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