In the meantime my ideas are as follows:
Two age groups: older babies and young toddlers in the first (Little Bo-Peep) and 3-6 year olds in the second (Ready Steady Bo!). Mums (or Dads, a grandparent or babysitter) should accompany the child and be prepared to sing songs and do some simple actions. If English is not your first language, it should be of a sufficient standard in order to conduct all activities in English if possible. The aim is to have fun in an English-speaking environment.
The venue is yet to be confirmed, though I have already received one kind offer and would like to keep it in the centre of Bologna. Timings depend on participants and numbers, but Little Bo-Peep will probably take place on a weekday morning while Ready Steady Bo! will have to be in the afternoon. If you have preferences for a certain day of the week please say so as early as you can to avoid disappointment.
Thanks and looking forward to getting started...
11 comments:
hello i saw your post on the iwf, however i am not a member. such a great idea for an english playgroup, i am a new mom of a 4 month old. it might be too early for us to join =(
Hello! I saw your post at the Madre Lingua English school. (By the way, I've been to a IWF meeting myself, and I wouldn't mind attending again). I am a mother of 2: Elia is a boy and he's 6 years old (almost 7) and Agata is a girl of 4 (almost 5). They both go to the Madre Lingua English school. I think yours is a very good idea, and I would like to join. I'll follow the Blog so I'll know if, when and where the meetings will take place, in the meantime I throw in my idea.... Couldn't it be a monthly saturday or sunday meeting instead of a workday weekly meeting? It could be longer, more relaxed, and maybe end with a nice lunch.... In the good weather it could also be a picnic! Maybe it would be more relaxed and participative, and once a month is an easier commitment to keep... Looking forward to hearing from you and more mums!
Hi and thanks for the comments!
Claire you could still come along to the trial sessions if you like, even if your baby can't yet join in with the actions etc. I'm sure it would be stimulation just to hear the songs and of course support for you.
Giulia thank you for your idea; maybe in the spring or summer it might work but in winter I feel we (I mean my girls and myself) need regular but short activities to get us through. Also at the weekend it can be harder to get people to commit as they tend to want to be with their families but you never know...Let's get started and see how it goes.
I am talking to public organisations about venues at the moment so will let you know very soon.
Thanks for the input and hope to meet you soon.
Hi Sangeetha, I got your name from Federico B. I am Italian and my husband is American, our son Matteo is 3.5 year old and fully bilingual. We moved to Italy in May 2008 and are desperately looking for things to do. We could attend though only weekends (Sat or Sun) gatherins as we both work full time. I hope it works out! Splendind idea! Kudos to you!
Paola
hello Sangeetha, i am a english nanny working for a family here who are bi lingual as mum is american and dad is italian the children are 3 1/2 yrs and 20months i think this is a brilliant idea and glad someone has come up with it as i have the younger child full time and im always looking for new things to do with him we found the english resturant with the play area in it and chiccolandia when its rainy or we just go to gardina margreta but i would love to meet some english speaking people as here i havent yet so keep me imformed an if you want help setting anything up let me no (i have all my childcare qualifications)
look forward from hearing from you.
Hi
Thanks for the comments, much appreciated as ever.
Paola once we get started with the weekday activity we'll see if we can extend to a weekend maybe once in a while, so keep watching this space.
Kate you sound like you may be interested in starting both age groups so please again keep checking here for info.
I am now very close (I hope) to clinching a venue.
I'll make an announcement in the next few days...
Catch you then!
Hi my name is Rachelle Hangsleben and am American. I have a 9month old daughter and teach english to kids using music and activities...We'd love to join the group ( and help lead if needed) weekday mornings for short periods are perfect for us! Have you thought about Sala Borsa "sala bebe" for the little kids group? There is another area less used too. There is another library with a sala bebe on via San Isia.... I think it is open on Friday mornings. I posted this idea on the IWF months ago and got no response...am so glad that you are organizing something!i think it will be great also for moms! please let me know how i can help! thanks for orgainzing! Rachelle
Awesome news why not have the playgroup in the childrens resturant in the morning, as they have a room already an the resturant opens at 12.30 just an idea.
I would love to help you set up as only have the 20month at the moment in the day.
Rachelle where do you teach children english through music an activities, an do you have classes as in the uk they have all this and here i have not found, but maybe there is but i do not speak much italian. I would love to set up a group called "Tumble Tots" my two charges love it but dont no how to approach the idea here if anyone knows how to it would be most aprieciated thanx xx
Hi there, when you say "children restaurant", do you mean Babette in via Riva Reno?
yes thanks i couldnt remember the name of it but my lil un loves to go there, we usually the only one with children at lunchtime but at night gets very busy
Hi
Thanks for the comments again...
Rachelle I hope you and Gaia will join, and of course I would appreciate any help in leading.
Kate thanks for the suggestions; I have now clinched the venue so will be posting the details tomorrow subject to confirmation of a couple of points.
However I would definitely be interested in Tumble Tots if you start it.
Will update tomorrow
Bye!
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