why is it so hard to get a chinese toddler playgroup going? Post Reply

[HonkersInLondon]

Hello all,

I'm keen to also join a Chinese playgroup - I speak Cantonese and am originally from Hong Kong but British (English is my first language). My mother is looking after my child in July 2 days a wk and has a diploma in teaching Mandarin so if there are enough people then perhaps we can set something up more formally.

Please keep me in the loop in regards to the playdates as it would be lovely to meet with you and get a better sense of what we can set up together.

My email address is Petrina.Steele@gmail.com

Best, Petrina

[waterloohill]

Hi Petrina

I am also HK chinese and speak Cantonese, but I would like my daughter to learn Mandarin also (I speak to her as much as I can in cantonese at home, but because I work full time, she is not getting nearly the exposure as I would like, but that is life!) I am very interested in any local mandarin playgroup, and if you do see the demand to justify setting something up formally with your mum, then please count me in as an interested party. I live in Wandsworth and my daughter will be 2 in July. Where are you based?

Thanks

Fiona

[JDMummy]

Hi ladies,

I have been hosting a Mandarin Chinese playgroup from home. I teach the children to read a few words in Mandarin in each session. And we play games in Mandarin. I offer fresh fruits during the session. It is for free. The purpose is for my toddler and other children to have more exposure to Mandarin. All children who attending the playgroup have responded really well and started using more Mandarin at home. They are looking forward to come back each week.

The playgroup is on every Tuesday afternoon from 3:30-4:40. We live between the commons SW11. The activities are more suitable for children between 3-5 year old. We have space for a couple of more children in April onwards. If you are interested, please get in touch.

Rosa

[HelenD]

Hi All,

Im also interested in immersing our little daughter (1O months old) in more cantonese

We often join this playgroup in Chinatown, which is held about twice per month: http://www.playcantonese.com/
It's a good excuse to have yum char afterwards too!

Hope that helps
H

[8han]

I'd love to join in your playgroup JDMummy but unfortunately I work on Tuesdays.

If you do by chance do change the day or add another please le me know!

[JDMummy]

8han,

I will consider to add Thursday session if there are more people interested. My son started talking a lot more in Chinese and very interested in reading Chinese books with me now. Other mums' feed back are very positive too.

JDmummy

[KatieM]

Hi WaterlooHill and Honkers,
My friend is HK Chinese, although I'm just a pushy Nappy Valley mummy! Our little daughters will soon be 18 months. We'd love to get involved in a Mandarin playgroup, ideally on Saturdays as we both work. I might be able to find a venue in Putney or Fulham. JD, I think our daughters are a little too young for your group unfortunately!
Katie

[waterloohill]

Hi Katie, I would be very interested in a Saturday playgroup as I also (sadly) work full time. My daughter just turned 20 months so is a similar age to your and your friend's girls. Putney or Fulham would be perfect too as I live in Wandsworth, near the station (Wandsworth Town) and have a car so can travel quite easily. Since there now appears to be a few of us interested with similar aged children, perhaps we could ask Petrina (Honkers) to see if her mum is interested in leading the group as the teacher? What do you think?

Have a great weekend

Fiona

[Allsmiles]

Hi everyone!

Am a native mandarin speaking mum with a 2 year old. I live in Clapham South and would be keen to join any mandarin playgroups. Please let me know when and where.

As someone mentioned earlier, immersion is key for learning a new language. All the mandarin groups or classes I've been to so far are all English based with a few Chinese words thrown in. Am not keen on this approach as we I don't thinks kids learn well without immersion. Also from a selfish point if view, I don't think my daughter, who is already a fluent mandarin speaker, will learn anything new, thus making it less attractive for us.

Anyways, am willing to give anything a go. Thanks

[MVM]

Hi there,

to the lady who said french, spanish and German playgroups are really established... I'm having a hard time finding any German ones anywhere... which ones do you know of?? I'm considering starting my own.

Thanks a lot!

[KatieM]

MVM, count me in! Where are you based? It might be worth starting a new thread...

[MVM]

Hey Katie,

I'm still based in central London but we might be moving to Balham if the deal goes through so just trying to get things in order.

We would be based on the heaver estate.

Best

[Shiro]

Hi, I'm a native Mandarin speaker with two girls 4 yrs and 20 months. We just came back from our one-month/year immersion from China.

I am thinking of organising a Mandarin playgroup at Sat afternoon for my younger girl age(but my older one will be there too!) at home. She's not talking much still at the moment but she understands/responds well to both English and Mandarin.
Let me know if you are interested please.
We live in Clapham South.

[waterloohill]

Hi Shiro

I would be very interested. I live in Wandsworth (close to Wandsworth Town station) and I have a 21 month old daughter. I speak to her in cantonese at home (as that is my native tongue) but sadly my mandarin is too basic/poor to be of much use. I would be keen to join your playgroup if you do decide to set one up.

I am on fiona.cheung@me.com if you want to keep in touch

Thanks!

Fiona

[KatieM]

Hi Shiro,

That sounds great, but why don't you get in touch with Baby Mandarin first - babymandarin.london@gmail.com - as they've just cancelled their summer term Saturday classes in Wimbledon due to being just one child short of the minimum they needed!

Katie