Looking for French families for socialising and children's activities

[iaietta]

Hello,

I speak 6 languages and would like my toddler to keep his " multi-linguism" alive. He currently speaks four, among which French. I was wondering if there are any French families in the area interested in forming a little community to socialise and organise little trips, activities, and anything else interesting for children.

Please get in touch :-)

[a.smith]

I think there is a french playgroup around crystal palace and I also find amazing there are always a lot of french speaking parents in CP park :)

[a.smith]

http://www.cadetrousselle.co.uk/ I found one not sure if same one I came across .this one is in norwood .hope it help.Well done to your dd.how you manage to teach him so many languages ?

[iaietta]

Thank you very much for your tips.

I was actually thinking of something a bit more informal and more local. The trouble with Cadet Rousselle is that it can get quite expensive and unfortunately I cannot make their class times :-( The idea was organising some local meet ups, such as going together to the playground, to the pub or perhaps playing football/riding scooters, bikes, etc. In a word, something "natural" that would keep the children interested in communicating in French in their children's world. They seem to decide that it is not worth keeping it up when they cannot use it for everyday activities!

As for the languages, I've just kept speaking all of them in a set routine, so he knows what we are speaking when. Seems a bit crazy, I know, but it actually worked well so far. It will at least come handy for the future (if he decides to keep talking to me...)

[birnehelene]

Tingalingo at rye books? Never been myself but have seen it advertised.

[iaietta]

Hmmm... That's a french baby class for English speakers :-(

[mummyS]

Hi!

I speak French to my sons (2 and 3 years old) and would be keen to meet up with other French speaking mums and their children. Play dates in the park or at home would be great.

[JulieW]

Hi,

Am a French mum in East Dulwich on maternity leave with a 7 week old baby.

I also have a 2.5 year old daughter.

She understands French perfectly but only speaks English so would love to meet other families to communicate in French.

Playdates in the park sound great!

[iaietta]

Hello, I am contacting all of you via PM. We can perhaps exchange contact details and hopefully meet soon :-)

[iaietta]

We had our first "French play date" last week. Would anyone else fancy joining us?

[Didine]

Hi there,

would love to join on Thursdays or Fridays.

I am French with a 2 year old and a 3 month old and I would like my 2 year old to socialise in French as well as she ' speaks' exclusively English at nursery.

[VALFR59]

whouah 6 languages....congrats! I am already struggle by speaking two ....

So by interest, Did the kids speak in french togethers , over your first french language play date?

I am asking that because I observe with my son who is 3,5 yrs old, that if he is with his bilingual English/french friends, their language tend to be English over the games, even if most of the time, we tend to speak in French between mummys ...but it is also true that in most of those families, the frenchy is the father , and the mum is English with a good french speaking/understanding . (and mums tend to speak in englsih to their kids).

The only kids here with whom my son speaks automatically in french are 2 kids who both parents are french like us.

I have to agree that even if my son is 4 days a week full time at the nursery and will go to an English school next year,if you ask him which language he fancy the most, for example for watching a cartoon DVD, he will always answer that he prefers to Watch it in french (in "coucou" as he said) if it's possible with the DVD...and the same with story book, but again probably because we are all french at home....

You have a french summer holidays camp at Rosemead school this summer (it's full immersion in french language for English, even beginners speakers, and french kids).

by the way, all the best for your good idea of french speaking playtime!

X val?rie

[iaietta]

Hi Valerie,

Thank you for your message.

It didn't work on the first play date but that was expected and the very reason why I thought to launch this initiative. Children use the vocabulary they have. If their children's world is in English (because they attend an English speaking nursery or school) they won't be able to express it in another language. I would like Patrick to have that vocabulary in French, too.

Funny, he also prefers cartoons and nursery rhymes in French.

So, fancy joining us some time?

Ari

[sull2222]

Hello,

I am French with a 5 year old and a 14 month old. I would like to maintain the French as much as possible. I work during the week but would be keen in meeting on Sunday for a simple social event in Dulwich Park for example. You can PM me.

Best,

Lorraine

[iaietta]

Thank you Lorraine, I've PM'd you.

[nancythesinger]

Hi Iaetta and other French enthusiasts!

I'm someone who has been learning French for only 11 months and doing what I can to teach and expose it to my nearly 3 year old daughter. I have been to the Tingalingo classes and even though they advertise to English speakers, French people can be known to go also. This is because the whole class is in French and she never speaks in English unless you want to ask her some questions in English afterwards. They do songs, story telling, dancing and a craft activity all in French. It is really great but it is all over in half an hour. This is the link for the locations: http://www.tingalingo.com/book-a-class

There is a French speaking mothers group. It is in West Norwood. It is confusing because yes there is a place called Cadet Rouselle in Herne Hill which is a nursery and also looks after toddlers and is fee based. The actual mother group is 3 pounds only, and is in Norwood park on Monday mornings between 9:45-11:45. It is strictly for French speaking people only who can speak french the whole time. I went but my french was not good enough. I don't think it is open for much longer. Actually it maybe only to the end of this month. Maybe if more people knew about it, it could stay open longer. It definitely is happening throughout june. This is their number: 0755 401 0791 This is the website for the french mother group. http://www.cadetrousselle.co.uk/

I would love to meet with yourself or others but I still have a lot to learn with French. But I would love to surround my daughter and myself with French as I know that is how we will expand. I read her stories in French, say phrases throughout the day, sing many French nursery rhymes (Im a singing and piano teacher) and she watches animations mostly in French. So I'm doing all I can and would love to hear from other interested people.

[iaietta]

Hi Nancy,

Thank you for all the information.

As I was mentioning above, I thought of this initiative because I am unable to join these groups (I work full-time) and would prefer to create a more natural situation, instead of entering a class. I believe that children have to play together to develop interest in the language. I would be very happy if you joined us - a good way for you to boost your French, as well!

I'll PM my email address so you can get in touch with me and the others. We should meet this Wednesday pm/evening if you are free.

Hopefully speak soon

Ari

[iaietta]

Thank you for your messages everyone!

Please keep getting in touch, we are building up a lovely group :-)

[liannheavey]

Hi!

I nanny for two extremely trustworthy smart, energetic twin 13 yr old girls Maia and Sasha, who are studying French at school. We thought it would be a good idea during the summer months or term time to find French families that might require an extra pair of hands to play with their children at home or at a play date as mentioned above. The girls would be able to create some fun games and activities to entertain the younger children, while also speaking French. They have been studying French for the last 3 years and travel to France on holiday yearly. Their mother is fluent and spent her teenage years practising in the same way and found it beneficial for all involved. Please let me know if this suits any of you. My number is - 07979 187 994 or PM me.

Best,

Liann Heavey

[iaietta]

Hi Liann,

Are you looking at offering babysitting services? I regret that it is not what we are doing at the moment but thank you for your interest.

Best

Ari

[liannheavey]

Hi Ari,

No we're not offering babysitting. It would be a scenario where the girls would be present with the parents. No money involved. The girls are fabulous with younger children having grown up with two younger brothers and lots of cousins. They would be a huge help entertaining the children at home (where the parents could get on with daily chores) or at a play date outside (where the parents could chat or be involved. The girls could practice their French and the families can have some extra help. What are your thoughts on this?

Many thanks,

Liann

[iaietta]

Fantastic,

Just PM'd you

[iaietta]

Hello mums and dads,

We now have a football-in-French class and upcoming French speaking ballet sessions. More parents are joining, please feel free to drop me a message if you wish to find out more.

Many thanks

Ari

[aurore80]

Hello, I'm a french mum with 4yo and 1.5yo kids in Forest Hill - they would love to meet other french (speaking) children. Are you people still meeting during these boring winter days?

[scareyt]

Hi, I am English but speak pretty good French and would love the opportunity to practice it and for my 3yo to be among native speakers. We read him lots of stories in French and spend holidays there but he only knows a couple of words. Do you have some group activities going on that we could join? Many thanks. Sarah