Polish play groups in the area Post Reply

[MartaAleksandra]

Hi Has anyone heard of any Polish speaking mums/play groups in the area or somewhere nearby? Would like my 18 months old to meet some polish speaking toddlers and get more familiar with the language. Thanks for any info you may have!

[Team Southfields]

Marta, I sort of feel that if I'd asked if anyone knew of any nice, middle class playgroups where my children could absord "Oxford" English, I'd have been lambasted for being racist and elitist. It might have been what I felt comfortable with but it would be totally inappropriate to say it let alone to do it.

I am English and have to rub along with all sorts of different people whether I like it or not. I think you need to do the same and not look for specialist groups where you might feel at your most comfortable but rather rub along with the diversity that London brings and get on with it like everyone else has to.

[evainlondon]

Hi,
Completely disagree with previous poster - I think it's wonderful that you are trying to expose your child to your language! I personally regretted that my mum did not do it with her own language and am trying to do much more with my children now.

There's plenty of playgroups for French, German, Spanish kids etc., so with the number of Poles in the area I'm sure there must be plenty of Polish playgroups around, whether formal or informal. Did you try the Polish churches (there's one in Balham), asking in Polish shops, and checking the websites or papers dedicated to Poles in London?

Best of luck and hang in there, bilingualism really is worth the effort.

[putneystahm]

Hello Marta,

I suggest you try asking somewhere like the Polish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. I remember seeing it and seemed like a real hub for cultural events and language courses.

I really don't believe a couple of hours a week socialising and conversing with other members of your community will hinder your child's ability to integrate with the rest of society. I think it was presumptuous and quite rude to suggest so.

My Iranian mother taught me and my siblings Farsi and signed us up for reading and writing classes. I didn't love it at the time, but as an adult I came appreciate how much it we gained in doing so. I have a deep understanding of part of my heritage and have relationships with my relatives, can watch a film without subtitles and can read amazing Persian poetry
Raising your child bilingual will enhance their sense of self and there is plenty of evidence that bilingual children increases their IQs. They may even find the language useful in their career later in life.

I hope you find one.
Best wishes

[Busybeebee]

Hi, try St. Stephens Church on Weir rd and The Weir Link Community and Children's Centre (33 Weir Rd, London, United Kingdom ). There is one on Thursday. Good luck!


http://www.theweirlink.org/Calendar_of_events.php
http://www.theweirlink.org/Contact_us.php

http://polkadot.pl/forum/kacik_mam/spot ... ffset)/140

[Busybeebee]

http://polkadot.pl/forum/kacik_mam/spot ... ffset)/140

[Busybeebee]

Not sure why the link to polish website doesn't wont to work properly - you just need to type the last digits )140 at the end. Then it will work.

[Busybeebee]

Not sure why the link to polish website doesn't wan't to work properly - you just need to type the last digits )140 at the end. Then it will work.

[Joanna P]

I am currently looking for the same this is how you make sure your baby speaks mother tounge your response is simply ignorant and patronising and shows you Have no clue how language development works its essential for children with mixed languages to be exposed to their mother tounge from early years thats the only way they will learn how to speaks one If the parents language .. 👀🫣🤯they will automatically learn English during other classess nursery school etc as they live here. I dont understand how some people can just tell others how to live… shocking