English-language songs, rhymes, stories, play and fun for babies and toddlers up to around 2 years! Led by native English speaker mum. Fridays, 10.30am and 11.40am at Mom O’clock, (Strada Pictor Barbu Iscovescu 30, near Aviatorilor Metro). Your first session is half price! Monthly subscriptions RON 150, or RON 50 per session. To book your place or find out more, email us at [email protected].
Baby Bounce is an early literacy and music programme, delivered in libraries in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is based on a “lap-sit” format: babies and toddlers sit on their parent or carer’s lap and enjoy songs, music, rhyme and finger play. They can also move around and dance!
Who is it for?
Recommended for babies and toddlers up to around two years old (though we are flexible and we welcome older bouncers). Children attend with a parent, grandparent or carer.
How will it benefit my child?
Baby Bounce promotes literacy, musicality, love of language and learning, focus and concentration, socialisation, and parent-child bonding. For non-native speakers, such as Romanian children, it also serves as an early introduction to English. In the crucial development phase of newborn to toddler, children’s brains are in peak language-learning mode. The songs and rhymes of Baby Bounce will help your little one to learn English like a native speaker, developing a love for the language, a natural approach to assimilating it, and greater confidence and fluency.
Any other benefits?
Sessions are also a great way to meet, relax and have fun with other new mums and dads during the challenging and sometimes isolating start of parenthood.
What happens at a Baby Bounce session?
Sessions last around 50 minutes, and consist of singing, rhymes, stories and finger play. Afterwards children can have fun playing together with the toys and resources in the Mom o’Clock café, while adults can enjoy a chat over a drink or lunch.
Who leads the sessions?
I (Debbie, course creator and session leader) am a British author, English teacher, and – my hardest job! – mother to two little boys whom I’ve seen learn and thrive through their enjoyment of music and singing. My musical experience in Romania includes working with artists from the bands Vama, Sarmalele Rece and Vocea Romania contestants on English-language aspects of their songs. I’ve also worked on projects for the British Council, PwC and Thomas Cook among many other clients. I’ve lived in Bucharest for 17 years, during which I’ve learnt a lot about Romanians’ relationship with the English language and how best to help them learn and improve.
Chris (course co-creator) has years of experience teaching young children, having worked in various nurseries in the UK as well as three years at British School Bucharest.
What songs are featured?
The songs are well known English-language children’s songs and nursery rhymes. We use a bespoke syllabus, from an album especially recorded for Baby Bounce Bucharest sessions with Emil Viciu from the iconic Romanian band Sarmalele Reci. An album featuring the songs and rhymes is available (both on CD and online, priced at 50 lei) so parents can support their children’s learning by playing the songs at home and in the car too. A second album is due for release soon.
Schedule
Regular sessions take place at Mom O’clock on Fridays at 10.30am and 11.40am. Please see our page for details of sessions at other venues.
Cost
Monthly subscription: RON 150 (covers four consecutive sessions; one session can be “rolled over” in the event of illness, or by prior arrangement). One-off sessions: RON 50 per child. An accompanying sibling pays half price. Your first session is half price as a taster.
FAQs
My child is just outside the age range. Can he/she still attend?
Yes, the age range is just a guide. Older children who might enjoy the group are also welcome. And we’re planning on launching further groups for older children soon – please check back later for details!
Can extra adults come along?
Extra adults are welcome to sit in on the session, free of charge, provided there is space in the room.
My child doesn’t know any English songs or rhymes. Will it be a problem?
Not at all! All the songs and rhymes are simple, with a lot of repetition. Your child will easily become familiar with them during the first few sessions. We will be posting the songs and lyrics on our page so you can practice at home if you wish, and a CD/online album of the songs and rhymes featured is also on sale.
Won’t songs in a foreign language confuse my child? He/she barely speaks Romanian!
No, quite the opposite! Research shows that early childhood is the best possible time to learn a second language. Children who experience two languages from birth typically become native speakers of both. Songs and rhymes are the perfect introduction to English for your little one, giving them a head start and teaching them that learning is fun!
I don’t speak fluent English / I don’t know the songs / I’m not a very good singer. Will it be a problem?
Not at all! If you want to learn the songs and sing along, great! (As noted above, we will be posting the songs and lyrics – which are very simple and easy to master – on our page and they are also available on CD/online.) But all that is necessary is to sit with your child and help him/her listen to and follow along with the music and actions. The group leader is conversant in Romanian, so even a nanny (bona) or grandparent with no English could bring your child.
My child has a disability. Can he/she still attend?
Baby Bounce Bucharest values inclusion and diversity and we will do everything we can to welcome and cater to differently-abled children. Please contact staff at Mom O’clock regarding accessibility issues (021 794 3551).
