Blackbird Leys toddler group celebrates first birthday (From Oxford Mail)

Blackbird Leys toddler group celebrates first birthday

4:07pm Monday 8th February 2010 in Oxford By Emily Allen

TODDLERS marked Polish landmarks on a giant map of their home country as they celebrated the first birthday of a family support group.

Maluchy – which means Little Ones in Polish – was formed by three mothers in February last year, to help youngsters with Polish links learn more about their heritage.

The group holds weekly sessions at the Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre, in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys.

The free sessions include Polish stories, singing and art activities.

The group also helps mothers and fathers improve their English, and find out about services they may not be aware of, because of language barriers.

As part of Saturday’s birthday celebration children had their faces painted and pinned photographs of themselves on a map of Poland.

They also painted a giant paper birthday cake on the floor.

Agata Gorniak, 28, who came to England three years ago with her husband, Aleksander, 27, to find work, founded the group with Katie Chester and Joanna Brudlo.

Now about 10 parents and 15 children regularly attend the Saturday sessions.

Mrs Gorniak said: “I think they like it, because for the parents it’s the one time they can meet other people and speak Polish.

“It’s important too that the children can sing Polish songs and know the stories, because some of them go to school and they learn about English history, but we want them to understand about their Polish heritage.

“For me it’s important, because I have a daughter and I don’t want her to forget my own language. I want her to feel she is Polish.

“Every session, we do some singing, learn new songs, read Polish stories or do puppet shows.”

The sessions are held every Saturday, between 10am and 11am.

For more information about the group, call Mrs Gorniak on 07874 187704.