A LOCAL small Co. Down business is competing against national children’s organisations taking on the big guns in the UK.
Sign2Music, which promotes children’s signing, helping to improve their non-verbal communication from infant stage up to older children, has made a huge effort to promote itself… and success just may now just be knocking at the door.
The young business has been selected into the final four of the contest and now Crossgar-based Deirdre McLaughlin, the owner, is on tenterhooks leading up to the final countdown to the presentation evening to be held in England on the 9th June. Sign2Music is the only business representing Northern Ireland yet is in with a chance as it revolves around a very innovative, creative and fun project and has huge potential for devlopment.
[caption id="attachment_23205" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Deirdre McLaughlin with her daughter Cara and Signing Sandy are looking forward to the results of the competition on the 9th June. "]
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Deirdre McLaughlin said, “‘Down News recently covered a Sign2Music feature, and has helped in the promotion of the competition. We are only a small local company that has been nominated for a National Award (What’s On 4 Little Ones Junior Awards 2011). Our campaign received a significant amount of support from Down News mainly through social networking and this has helped Sign2Music reach the final 4 in the UK in the Best Local Activity for Under 5’s Category. I am absolutely delighted we have got so far in these awards.
“I hope this raises awareness about the fantastic benefits signing can have to support development and communication for all babies and children. It is also a great endorsement for Sign2Music and for Northern Ireland -based children’s activities! We are very grateful to the support of Jim Masson at Down News and other local business. Jim’s support via Facebook and the fantastic article written for the Down News has been great. Many thanks to all of you who voted for us! The decision will be announced on the 9th June. It would mean a huge boost for Sign2Music if we won.”
Recently, Deirdre along with her puppets Signing Sandy and Daisy Doggy  were filmed for the UTV’s Seven Thirty Show with host Tina Campbell. The show is a weekly glossy slot that offers up a mix of culture, lifestyle, arts, entertainment, family, celebrity and local flavour. AND, it will be showing this Thursday evening on UTV at 7.30pm. Don’t miss it!
“They usually film on location with Tina and Malachi going to different places,” explained Deirdre, adding, “We had Tina with us last Thurs 19th May at 10am and it was a terrific experience… hard work but very enjoyable. The class was held in a Community Centre in Conlig as we had to find somewhere in the Bangor / Belfast area at short notice.
“We had a normal toddler class with the topic being ‘bedtime’. Most of those present were from my Ballynahinch classes with a few families from the Bangor classes.
“Basically Tina and the cameraman filmed the class, then Tina interviewed parents and then myself. I had made contact with the show a while ago to suggest that Sign2Music would make a good feature and they obviously got in contact when they had a space in their schedule.
“Tina really enjoyed the class and mingled with the families, chatting to parents and striking a chord with the children who really took to her.
“A small business like mine has to do all it can to get its message across. Signing is the core activity we are involved in.”
Don’t miss the show this Thursday 26th May on UTV at 7.30pm!
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