She said: "It’s been really good fun. The Nativity plays are coming up, what a unique way to end them with a signed carol."

After only half an hour, the children in the Brilliant Beavers class had picked up the whole song. They rounded off signing Happy Birthday to a classmate."

Teacher Rose Marsaud, who had introduced the signing lesson by asking the children to think about what it would be like to be deaf, said: "I think they enjoyed it.

"It’s another way of communicating."

Baby signing classes are planned to start on January 11 in West Kingsdown and on January 15 in Eynsford, £5 per session.

There are also free signing sessions at West Kingsdown Library today and next Friday at 1.45pm.

For more information visit www.babysign.org.uk