About Me
My name is Sharon Peirson-Hagger. I am 54 years old, married with two children. I have over 30 years of experience of working with children and their families. I graduated from university with a First class honours degree in English, Drama and Education. My career began in London as a teacher in Primary Education. I have also been a Deputy Head Teacher and Literacy Specialist. Following the birth of my two children, now aged 19 and 16 years old, I took a career change and retrained as a Massage in Schools Teacher with the Massage in Schools Program (MISP).
In 2013 I became a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. Now I am a leading UK instructor for the International Association for Infant Massage (IAIM). My week is split between teaching part-time in a primary school in Richmond and teaching baby massage and well-being for Mothers and Babies from my home. I am so lucky to be able to do both jobs as I believe it is a privilege to work with children and families in schools and at the start of their parenting journey.
When I am not working, I love walking with our miniature schnauzer, meeting friends, dancing, swimming, yoga, listening to live music and reading.
In 2013, I set up my own business called ‘Baby Child Massage.’ I run bespoke, one to one and small group classes either from my home or the parent’s. I teach both online and face to face.
Baby Massage
I was first introduced into the wonderful world of baby massage when I took my son Leo to a baby massage class with my local mum’s group. He absolutely loved the classes and I enjoyed having the special time carved out in the week just for us, it quickly became part of our daily lives and depending on his mood or time of day I would use baby massage to calm and soothe him or have some lively time and sing songs whilst massaging. I loved the way he responded, and it gave me such confidence in understanding him.
I found added benefits too when waiting in a queue or for appointments I would massage his back and tell him a silly story to pass the time. Or in the summer when I was putting sun cream on him, he didn’t mind as he was used to the feeling of massage oil on his skin. Even now he enjoys a back massage. I repeated the baby massage course three years later when my daughter was born. She had a difficult birth, she breathed meconium and ended up in Great Ormond Street Hospital on a life support machine. So, our chance to touch, feed and bond with her were greatly reduced at the start of her life.
When we were finally home with her, weeks after her birth, I wanted to massage her to bond with her. Initially she didn’t enjoy massage in the same way that my son had. But I was confident in the power of the massage techniques that she would eventually enjoy it, so I adapted it for her and used still touch rather than lots of strokes. Over time she began to relax and enjoy it more. Now she loves to give me a massage or if I’m lucky a facial!
Because I had attended an IAIM baby massage course as a parent, I knew it was of great quality, I chose to train with the International Association of Infant Massage also known as IAIM. The IAIM was established over 30 years ago and has instructors in over 50 countries of the world. It is the gold standard of Infant Massage.
My Courses
For all parents the ‘IAIM Baby and Child Massage Course’ is the perfect choice as it is suitable for babies from birth up to 12 years old. The sessions take place either in my home in Addlestone or yours if you prefer.
For all mothers the ‘Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies course’ is a perfect follow on from Baby Massage, however you don’t have to have completed a baby massage course to benefit. This course is suitable for babies from 3 months upwards.
For Primary Schools, the ‘relax and reconnect’ program is suitable for children from Nursery up to Year 6. I run staff inset training, in class training or parent workshops.
All my sessions are offered online or in person, they are bespoke as day, time and location are made by arrangement.
Please look at each course listed to find out more……