Books for Bumps - Complimentary Pilot Workshop

Want to grow a little bookworm? Start from the bump! 📚

Would you love to nurture a love of books from the very beginning, but aren't quite sure how to start?

Books for Bumps is a baby-centred antenatal workshop where you'll discover simple, enjoyable ways to talk, sing and share books with your baby before birth.

While so much of pregnancy is spent preparing for your baby's arrival, this is a chance to spend a relaxed morning focusing on the little person you're already getting to know.

You'll explore how to choose and share baby books, revisit familiar songs and nursery rhymes, and begin little reading and singing rituals you can continue once your baby arrives.

You'll see ideas modelled, try them for yourself and leave with practical tips you can use during pregnancy and beyond.

Led by Fiona Deeney, a UK-trained Speech and Language Therapist and Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Books for Bumps brings together specialist knowledge of early listening and communication with practical guidance for parents.

Books for Bumps may be for you if:You'd love to nurture a love of books from the very beginning and want practical tips for sharing stories with your baby. You've heard that talking, singing and reading to your baby can be valuable, but would like someone to explain why and actually show you how. Talking or singing to your bump feels a little awkward, and you'd like some simple ways to make it feel more natural. You'd like to feel more connected with your baby during pregnancy, but aren't quite sure what that could look like. You'd enjoy a small, relaxed group where you can meet other expectant mums and try ideas rather than simply listen to information. You don't need to be musical, confident reading aloud, or feel like you already know how to "bond" with your baby.

During the workshop you will:1. Understand Discover what your baby can already hear before birth and why the sound, rhythm and expression in your voice matter. 2. Experience and practise Try simple ways to talk and sing with your baby, revisit familiar nursery rhymes and songs, and use real baby books to explore different ways of sharing a story together. You'll discover that sharing a book doesn't have to mean reading every word from beginning to end. You'll see ideas modelled first, then have the chance to try them for yourself. 3. Make it yours Choose the ideas that feel right for you and your family, including ways to involve a partner or older sibling, and begin creating little routines you can continue after your baby is born.

You'll leave with:More confidence talking, singing and sharing books with your baby. Your own baby book to take home and keep. A personalised Sound & Story Plan. Simple ideas you've already tried and can start using at home. This isn't about teaching your baby to read, performing perfectly, or adding another thing you "should" be doing during pregnancy. It's about talking, singing and sharing books with your baby in ways that feel natural to you, enjoying time together now, and beginning little rituals you can carry into life after birth. You'll also have the opportunity to meet a small group of other expectant mothers and share a relaxed morning centred on your babies.

About this complimentary pilot workshop:This is the full Books for Bumps workshop experience, offered complimentary while I pilot the small-group format and gather feedback from expectant mothers before future workshops. You'll be invited to complete a short questionnaire before and after the workshop and share your feedback to help shape the experience for future participants.

Places are limited and advance registration is essential.

If you can no longer attend, please cancel as soon as possible so your place can be offered to someone else.

Please noteBooks for Bumps provides general, non-clinical parent education. It complements rather than replaces antenatal, maternity or healthcare services and does not provide individual medical, developmental, speech pathology or therapeutic advice.

Interested, but can't make 21 November? Follow @thenurturinghive on Instagram for future Books for Bumps dates.

Questions about this workshop? Email Fiona at fiona@thenurturinghive.com.