Mumsnet Talk

Hi, I have a 2.5 year old DS & would love to set up a playgroup with Greek families (or find an existing one) so that our children can (hopefully) practice greek.

I'm getting a bit worried with my DS because even though DP & I are both greek & we talk to him in Greek, he responds in English only. He does have some Greek words & understands what we say to him in Greek, but only talks in English.

Do you know of any playgroups in North / NW London (or central, even)? Or is anyone interested in trying to set up one?

I thought there was one in Barnet, but I may be wrong.

Thanks Jaybird: do you have any info about it? So that perhaps I can track it down.

When I say 'playgroup' I mean toddler group: not a structured setting but a small group (just clarifying).

To be honest, I am not sure. If a web search doesn't help you than maybe the Greek Cypriot Centre in N12 or London Greek Radio can signpost or help you set something up.

Good luck

I know this is south London but maybe they can point you in the right direction for your area

www.greekmums.co.uk/

They have posted on mumsnet in the past.

With regards to your son's speech I wouldn't worry -it will come. Look in the bilingual threads on mumsnet there's loads of great advice.

HTH

PollyLogos, that group looks great, it's exactly the kind of thing I have in mind (although of course this particular one won't work as it's in the other side of london).

I'll email them for ideas/suggestions about groups in N London, or perhaps about how to set up a new playgroup.

If anyone else is reading this who is Greek and living in N / NW london & is interested in doing something like this, please get in touch.

Maria - this isn't aboutplaygroups, sorry to digress from your main thread topic, but you mentioned that your son mainly responds in English.

I am the opposite to you, if you like, I live in Greece, but speak English to my children. I have found that reading them books in English has done a lot to help their English vocabularly, and I try to ask them questions about the stories, even just simple things, like 'look at the frog, what's he wearing?' "a hat" or whatever, just to encourage them to speak.

In reference to Greek, if you are interested, my children love the Trigonopsaroulis books by Vangelis Ilioupolos, your son might like those. Also, Lida Varvarousi has some great books. (Ena psari pou den ixere na kolympaei is their favourite). My dh reads to them in Greek, and he says these are good ones for getting them talking too, as there is lots of scope for asking questions.

Sorry, I know you were really asking about playgroups, but I just thought you might be interested.

Hi Alexpolismum, and sorry for the late reply! (I hope you still get this).

I've been following your tips for the last couple of weeks- reading books in greek (translating from english books when necessary) & asking more direct questions to my DS. I've been surprised by the good response! It has helped of course that we've been in greece for the holidays, which always helps.

Thanks for the book recommendations too, I know Lida Varvarousi & she's indeed very good. I also love Trivizas.

I'm determined to make more of an effort once back in London. So am bumping up this thread too & asking whether there are any greek mums in North / North West London interested in starting a playgroup?

Mine love Trivizas, too, but I thought your son might still be a bit young for him.

Filippos Mandilaras is another author to look out for, if you don't know him already. My children were given To Paploma tis petaloudas for Christmas and it's already a hit.

Another good idea to get them talking is to get a book they know very well and get them to tell the story. You ask a few leading questions to get them going. I don't know if this would be so easy with just one child, though! I have 3 and the elder 2 practically fight over whose turn it is to tell the story! They encourage each other.

I also do a kind of I Spy when we are walking along. "I spy something that makes holes in the ground." "a digger" "I spy something white in the sky" "a cloud" and so on. They like doing this and start spying for themselves, too.

Good luck with your playgroup, I hope you manage to get it started!

Thanks again Alexpolismum for all your suggestions

So, just bumping this. Is there anyone in North / North West london who is interested in setting up an informal, home-based Greek speaking playgroup?

Bumping this in case someone Greek appears in the North / North-West London area?

I live in East London, but happy to come to North London for a Greek playgroup!!! Any takers?

hello everyone!
I am running the first Greek playgroup in Greek in London for the last 4 years!
elapame.webs.com

check my classes!
Hope I see you all there for a trial!

For those who are interested, recently a small greek playgroup was set up in the Kilburn area, every second saturday. It's really nice & cosy (I've been twice) & there's a great cafe right next door for a relaxed lunch after. If any of you are interested, please PM me & I'll send you the details...

Hello Maria,

My daughter is 3years+9months and speaks fluently Greek and English. We moved in London when she was about 1year old. I only speak to her in Greek and translate, whenever necessary to her father. Of course, English is what she hears most but she is equally good at both. I hope that the same will apply for my 5 month old boy. Your son might ''prefer'' English but i am sure that he knows his Greek. Regards from Hackney.

I am also interested in meeting up with other Greek/Greek speaking families. My daughters are 4yrs and 2.5yrs old. I speak Greek to them and though they understand it perfectly well, their English is better. It would be great if they had some other Greek children to play with! I also live in Hackney near Finsbury Park. Kalliroi where abouts are you? It sounds like we might be close. I will also check out the playgroups mentioned in this thread.

Hi, there. We are two Greek mums who run a Greek playgroup in NW London (Kensal Rise) which meets up every two weeks. Here is the info:

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/local_brent/a1312780-A-new-Greek-playgroup

Any questions, please e-mail us on milo.playgroup@gmail.com

Thanks!

Hi all. I think that there's a playgroup connected with agia Sofia in bayswater. I know that they run a school as I went there every Saturday!

Hello

There is a group on FB called greek moms in England (you need to translate that into Greek) not sure if I'm allowed to put it here.