SATURDAY morning sessions of music, movement and fun for children with special needs have struck a chord.

Drama teacher Suzie Wilson has joined forces with Clare Hutchinson, a teacher of the Makaton language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate, to design two special classes.

The hour-long sessions are held in the hall of Stepping Stones School in Tower Road, Hindhead, at 9.30am and 10.30am.

Called ‘Suzie Sings and Signs’, they cater for a wide age range of children and young people with varying abilities, including speech delay, global developmental delay, learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders, Downs Syndrome, hearing difficulties and epilepsy.

“Whole families are encouraged to come along and join in these valuable classes and there are currently spaces available,” Mrs Hutchinson said, whose younger son is disabled and loves the classes.

“I use signing to support the children in many different ways, allowing them to participate more fully in the activities and enhancing the communication of the spoken language used.

“We also include lots of movement and dance in our sessions, helping to develop vital muscle coordination, balance and strength.”

Mrs Wilson said: “Music supports all areas of child development: intellectual, social and emotional, motor and language.

“It helps the body and the mind work together by stimulating the brain.  

“We encourage singing to help children to develop clarity in their speech.  

“There is plenty of repetition to help the learning process and sound effects are used to develop listening skills.

“There are always a wide variety of musical instruments available to support fine motor skills.

“But most of all, ‘Suzie Sings and Signs’ is about having fun, singing together and enjoying music.”