Singing for the reluctant mother - A review of Tippee Toes

Having a baby is all about getting over hurdles and one of mine was singing baby songs in public. I just could not envision myself at a mother and baby group singing about stars and bobbins.

However, seeing the Boy’s glee as his father and I sang to him (largely, for some reason Kenny Rogers’ ‘The Gambler’), I realised that not going to such groups probably meant I was denying him something he would love.

So I bit the bullet and reluctantly went to a Tippee Toes class at The Dish and Spoon cafe in Nunhead.

And actually, it was fun. The class started with a welcome song aimed at each baby in the group and the Boy seemed astonished and thrilled as everyone sang his name to him. A variety of baby songs were sung, with movements and props, including the monkey who comes round for a hug, and maracas, which went straight in the mouth, of course. And Boy was open-mouthed and wide-eyed with excitement and pleasure all the way through. The leader of the class was welcoming, enthusiastic but not overbearing and it was clear that older baby-regulars adored her.

It was lovely for me too. I was initially cynical about how much babies gain from their mothers sitting around singing and jiggling them about but actually, I think there is a lot to gain, and not only for the babies. Singing songs that you remember from when you were small yourself gives you a sort of connection to your past and to your own mother, and, I felt at least, it also made me feel more secure in my own position as a mother. There is something reassuring in the idea that you are repeating the words and songs and actions that countless other mothers have before you. Somehow it gave me the sense that I was part of a longer tradition, and that was a good enough feeling to over-ride my default sense of embarrassment.

Tippee Toes runs classes around South East London. Check for locations on: http://www.tippeetoes.co.uk/TippeeMusicClasses.html

The class I attended was at the Dish and the Spoon in Nunhead:
http://www.thedishandthespoon.co.uk/

Transport: 484, 363, and 343.

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Want to know more about singing sessions in the Lambeth area and beyond? Read the following:

•  A review of Bee's Baby Bop
•  A review of Ruby Rhymes

Family Learning Festival 2012 in Lambeth - Events for under fives!

Over the next few weeks the London boroughs are having family learning festivals so I have rounded up (copied and paste) some local events for under fives in Lambeth and surrounding boroughs. Addresses of venues are at the bottom of this post!

EVENTS

“You can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread Man!”

Decorate your own gingerbread man with storytelling, singing, puppets and fun!

Thurs 1st November 2012, 1.30-3pm

Battersea Park One O’clock Centre

Jactito Puppet Theatre

Geoffrey the Lonely Giraffe is thrown out of Giraffe Land because he has a short neck. He tries to fit in with the other creatures he meets by turning himself into a tortoise, a rabbit and a bird, but his disguises don’t work... at last Georgina the Giraffe resolves the problem in a totally unexpected way.

24 October, 10.30am

Streatham Library

Storytelling with Margaret Bateson-Hill

Master storyteller Margaret Bateson-Hill tells stories from around the world.

29 October, 2.30pm

Old West Norwood Library

31 October, 10.30am

South Lambeth Library

2 November, 10.30am

Minet Library

Yoga Stories


Have fun learning, yoga, making animal poses and stretches.

5th November 1:45pm 

Thomas Calton Centre

Toby and the Sausages - puppet theatre

When Toby is left in charge of Mrs Chippolata’s sausages with strict instructions not to eat them before tea time things start to go badly wrong - An interactive puppet show or families with children under five.

26 October, 10.30am

Minet Library

2 November, 10.30am

Clapham Library

9 November, 10.30am

Carnegie Library

Storytelling with Sandra Agard

Come along and join in with and listen to stories by the ever popular Sandra Agard.

19 October, 10.30am

Waterloo Library

Bollywood Punch and Judy

Upbeat and funny, Professor Patel’s Punch and Judy Show is a wonderful combination
of the traditional and modern with a dash of Bollywood panache for all the family.

30 October, 10.30am

Brixton Library

VENUES



Thomas Calton Centre
Alpha Street, London, SE15 4NX
Tel:(0)20 7639 4875

Buses: 37,  36, 345 


Battersea Park One O’clock Centre
Near Adventure Playground
SW11 4PY
Tel: 020 8871 7541

Bus: 345 (Get off before Battersea bridge and walk down Parkgate Road)

Brixton Library, 
Brixton Oval,
SW2 1JQ
Tel: 020 7926 1056

Buses: 3, 35, 37, 133, 159,109, 45,345 and 59

Clapham Library
Mary Seacole Centre
91 Clapham High Street
SW4 7DB 
Tel: 020 7926 0717 

Buses:  88, 35, 37, 155 and 322 

Streatham Library
63 Streatham High Road 
SW16 1PN  
Tel: 020 7926 6768

Buses: 50, 57, 60, 109, 118, 133, 159, 201, 249, 250, 255, 315, 319, 333. 

Carnegie Library
188 Herne Hill Road
SE24 0AG  
Tel: 020 7926 6050

Bus: P4

Old West Norwood library
14 - 16 Knights Hill
SE27 0H 
Tel: 020 7926 8092

Buses:  2, 68, 196, 315, 322, 432, 468, X68

Minet Library 
52 Knatchbull Road
SE5 9QY 
Tel: 020 7926 6073 

Buses: 159, 3, 133 and 59

Waterloo Library 
114-118 Lower Marsh
SE1 7AE 
Tel: 020 7926 8750 

Buses: 159 and 59

South Lambeth Library
180 South Lambeth Road 
SW8 1QP  
Tel: 020 7926 0705

Buses: 2 and 88