A parents and babies club in Finchley is proving that it's never too early to start learning.

Love and Cuddles runs classes aimed at helping babies communicate with their parents through the use of songs and sign language.

The sessions teach adults to recognise many of their baby's needs by interpreting hand and body movements.

Pioneers of the concept say that signing, when used in conjunction with speech, can enable babies from as young as six months old to communicate their basic needs effectively. And evidence suggests it can increase the rate at which infants develop spoken language.

Sarah Lloyd, Love and Cuddles area manager for London, has set up two classes a week, in North Finchley and Finchley Central, and hopes to hold sessions in nurseries, day care centres and people's homes. She believes babies learn how to express their basic needs and demands through a variety of techniques.

"We are teaching them the signs and singing at the same time so they can learn to communicate if they are tired, or hungry," she said "It is about getting babies to communicate before they can talk and it is quite surprising how quickly some of them do understand it."

The classes use songs that contain many of the signs a child may need to communicate, as well as highlighting different food groups, colours and emotions.

Sign language is also used in the programme, which teachers believe gives infants a skill that can benefit them throughout their lives.

"We incorporate a lot of the words that young babies might need to know, and encourage mothers to work on about three signs that would be important for them to understand, as too many can be quite confusing," Miss Lloyd added.

"If the child picks up on it quite well, it stops them going into a major tantrum, because they can express what they want."

Although the focus is on developing communication techniques, Miss Lloyd stressed that the learning process can enhance a child's early life in a whole range of ways.

"A lot of children love music, so it's an interesting way of getting them to respond," she added. "They are immediately drawn to movement, so this is something they will be fascinated by.

"The optimum result is they pick it up, but even if it's just for their fun, they are still learning actions, improving their dexterity and learning new skills."

m To find out more about the classes, contact Sarah Lloyd on 07967 565714 or email sarahlloydc@ hotmail.com