French or Italian playgroups in Islington or Hackney???

[caramellokoalalover]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone knows how to find a french or italian-speaking playgroup in Islington or Hackney? I've done a bit of googling but can only find nurseries and I'm not quite ready to send my 18mo yet, but I'd love to start getting him used to hearing other languages.

We speak english at home but I speak (rusty) french and can get by (barely) in italian, and dh speaks (also rusty) french and fluent italian. I don't want my son to miss out on starting to learn early.

Hi caramel

Can't honestly answer your question - I live in South London - but wanted to warn you that you may find you get a frosty welcome at such places.

I help organise a French-speaking Saturday playgroup and, to be honest, would not want children present who were not growing up in French-speaking households (i.e. at least one parent using French with the child most or all of the time at home.) Groups like ours are about providing our children with a French-speaking environment to supplement what goes on in the home; also to add to the cultural side of things, and to "normalise" French-speaking - i.e. it's not just a silly game that mummy or daddy plays, it's a real language. We don't teach French in any way, we just speak it, to the children and to each other, and we try not to use English in front of the children unless an english-speaking parent has brought along his or her French-speakingh child.

I think what you may be looking for is French clubs or classes (or their Italian counterparts) in which case I have heard good things about Club Petit Pierrot.

Hi I live in West London and wanted to find out about Italian playgroups for my son whi is Italian/English- thanks Jemma

Here's a link I found from the fab Mamme a Londra site, which may be useful for you :-)

Ciao mamme,

We are at the start of organising a brand new playgroup in Islington from October 2010 to promote bilingualism in young babies from 0-3 years old. We will sing, dance and play together in Italian.

Before booking the venue I would like to find out how many people are interested as I would need 10 to fill our room.

To register your interest and for more information on venue, times and prices please contact me on
[email protected]

Grazie e a presto!

Lisa
Romeo