Instructor Spotlight: Terri Floyd, MS

Empowering Families with Early Communication

At the heart of the Baby Signs® Program is a network of passionate instructors who help families unlock the power of early communication. This month, we’re thrilled to introduce Terri Floyd, MS, a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor and founder of The Note2Thrive Collaborative Coaching & Consulting. Based in Greater Central Arkansas and offering in person as well as virtual classes, Terri combines her expertise in behavioral health, parent coaching, and early childhood education to support families in building strong, connected relationships through signing.

Meet Terri Floyd, MS

With a Master’s degree in Behavioral Health Education and Health Promotion and a background in psychology, Terri has spent years empowering parents, caregivers, and educators with tools that promote emotional well-being and communication. As a Parent Educator, Mental Health Educator, and Behavioral Scientist, her passion for supporting healthy parent-child relationships led her to the Baby Signs® Program, where she saw firsthand how signing can reduce frustration and create deeper connections between babies and their caregivers.

“I was drawn to the Baby Signs® Program because of its incredible ability to bridge communication gaps between parents and their pre-verbal children. Teaching Baby Signs® became a natural extension of my work—helping families feel more connected, confident, and understood from the very beginning.” – Terri Floyd, MS

Why the Baby Signs® Program?

Terri’s journey with the Baby Signs® Program started in her early career working in developmental daycare settings, where she saw the positive impact signing had on children of all abilities. Later, as a parent herself, she introduced signing to her own son, witnessing how it helped him express his needs and emotions before he could speak.

“Instead of frustration, my son could tell me when he was hungry, tired, or wanted his favorite toy. It strengthened our bond and created a sense of calm in our home. That’s when I knew Baby Signs® was something I wanted to share with more families.”

Now, as a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor, Terri blends her expertise in emotional intelligence, nurturing parenting, and behavioral science into her Baby Signs® classes, providing parents with meaningful strategies that go beyond sign language—fostering holistic family communication and bonding.

The Most Rewarding Aspects of My Work

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work as a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor, Parent Educator, and Behavioral Scientist has been witnessing the powerful moments of connection between parents and their children. Seeing the joy and pride on a parent’s face when their baby successfully signs for the first time—expressing “more,” “all done,” or “help”—is incredibly heartwarming. These moments not only reduce frustration but also empower families to communicate with ease, creating calmer, more nurturing home environments where babies feel understood and caregivers feel confident.

Beyond these first signing milestones, I love watching families grow in confidence over time. I’ve worked with parents who initially felt overwhelmed or uncertain about their child’s communication and development. Some worried their child was falling behind or struggled with tantrums due to a lack of expressive language. By introducing practical, research-based tools like Baby Signs®, I’ve seen parents gain clarity, reassurance, and confidence in their ability to understand and respond to their child’s needs. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see these same parents shift from feeling anxious to feeling empowered, as they realize they have the ability to strengthen their connection with their child in a meaningful way.

My work has also expanded into supporting early childhood educators and childcare centers, helping them integrate Baby Signs® into their classrooms. Knowing that these tools are being used to support entire groups of children at once, especially those with developmental delays, speech delays, or who are nonverbal, brings an even deeper sense of impact. In these settings, the Baby Signs® Program allows teachers to create more inclusive, responsive classrooms, where every child—regardless of their verbal abilities—can express themselves, participate, and feel understood. Seeing the excitement in an educator’s eyes when they realize how much easier classroom interactions can be through signing is a reminder of how the Baby Signs® Program is transforming not just individual families, but entire communities.

Lastly, my personal journey as a mother has made this work profoundly meaningful. Teaching my own son Baby Signs® and watching him thrive in his early years gave me firsthand insight into how transformative early communication can be. It wasn’t just about reducing frustration—it was about building trust, strengthening our bond, and helping him feel seen and understood from the start. Knowing that I can share this gift with other families, and witnessing the same life-changing breakthroughs in their homes, is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.

Through every joyful milestone, every relieved parent, and every empowered educator, I’m reminded why I love this work. Baby Signs® isn’t just a program—it’s a way to build stronger families, more confident caregivers, and happier, more connected children.

Real-Life Success Stories: The Power of Baby Signs®

Over the years, I’ve witnessed several memorable and heartwarming moments that highlight the powerful impact of the Baby Signs® Program. Here are a few of my favorites:

📌 A Magical Mealtime Moment
A mom in one of my classes excitedly shared how her 10-month-old son, who was just starting solid foods, successfully signed “more” for the first time during dinner. Instead of crying when his food bowl was empty, he confidently signed “more.” The mom felt an incredible sense of relief knowing she could now meet his needs with less guesswork. She described the moment as “pure magic.”

📌 Giving a Nonverbal Child a Voice
I worked with a family whose 2-year-old son was nonverbal due to developmental delays. The parents were anxious about their child’s ability to express himself. We focused on introducing simple signs like “eat,” “drink,” and “all done.” Over time, the child began signing regularly, reducing his frustration and building his confidence. The parents were deeply moved, sharing that Baby Signs® gave them a way to connect with their son for the first time in a meaningful way.

📌 Strengthening the Sibling Bond
One of my favorite stories is about an older sibling (4 years old) who learned Baby Signs® alongside his baby sister. He began helping her sign “play,” “share,” and “wait,” which dramatically reduced sibling tension. The parents told me how Baby Signs® created a bonding experience they hadn’t expected, strengthening the relationship between their two children.

These moments prove that Baby Signs® is more than just a communication tool—it’s a bridge that fosters connection, emotional safety, and confidence for both children and caregivers. Whether helping to reduce frustration, encouraging bonding, or creating cherished family moments, these success stories continue to inspire my work as a Baby Signs® Instructor.

Terri’s Advice for Parents & Professionals

If you’re considering signing with your baby, Terri offers these practical tips to make the learning process smooth and enjoyable:

✔️ Start early, but it’s never too late.
✔️ Begin with 3-5 essential signs.
✔️ Be consistent – repetition is the key!
✔️ Say it & sign it – Always pair the spoken word with the sign to strengthen language development.
✔️ Focus on Eye Contact and Engagement.
✔️ Celebrate Every Success.
✔️ Be Patient and Persistent – Babies learn at their own pace.
✔️ Incorporate Signs into Play – Signing doesn’t have to feel like “work.” Use songs, story time, and games to make signing fun and natural.
✔️ Involve Family Members and Caregivers.
✔️ Stay Encouraged – Every Baby Learns Differently.

Bonus Tips for Professionals:

Model Signs in Real-Time: Demonstrate signs during natural moments in class or caregiving routines.

Encourage Group Practice: For daycare or classroom settings, involve all children to create a supportive learning environment.

Teach Parents How to Reinforce Signs at Home: Providing handouts or demonstrating signs during pick-up time can help parents stay consistent.

“The Baby Signs® Program isn’t just about learning signs—it’s about creating peaceful homes, stronger connections, and confident parents. Families walk away feeling empowered because they can better understand their child’s needs, emotions, and thoughts—building a solid foundation for communication and nurturing lifelong bonds.”

Join Terri’s Baby Signs® Classes

Terri offers Baby Signs® classes both in-person in Greater Central Arkansas and virtually, making it easy for families to participate from anywhere. Whether you’re a new parent, caregiver, or early childhood professional, her classes provide the tools you need to help babies communicate and thrive.

📍 Location: Greater Central Arkansas & Virtual
📩 Email: [email protected]
📘 Facebook: The Note2Thrive Collaborative Coaching & Consulting
📸 Instagram: TheNote2ThriveCollaborative

✨ Ready to start signing with your baby? Contact Terri today to find a class and begin your Baby Signs® journey!