Welsh language singing and music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in and around Cardiff

Paid collaboration with Cymraeg I Blant

This Friday 10^th February is Welsh Language Music Day, or Dydd Miwsig Cymru, a celebration of the best Welsh music from the last 50 years.

Events will take place across Wales to mark the occasion, with gigs, performances, art installations and competitions, as well as several Welsh musicians releasing new material on the day.

Anyone can get involved in celebrating #DyddMiwsigCymru – by sharing your favourite Welsh language song on social media, going to a gig or by downloading a playlist specially created for the event by the likes of Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, classical singer Bryn Terfel, Owain Tag, Gwenno and Elan a Mari.

The first Welsh Language Music Day took place last year in 2016 and saw thousands of people getting involved, with gigs, radio shows and activities in schools across Wales. Thousands shared their favourite Welsh language songs via social media, with the hashtag on Twitter reaching more than three million people.

As I’m a blogger ambassador for Cymraeg i Blant – which supports parents in educating their children through Welsh – I thought I would mark the occasion with a guide to bilingual singing and music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in and around Cardiff.

All the classes are open to non-Welsh speakers and Welsh speakers alike, with instruction being given in English and Welsh. The classes feature nursery rhymes and action songs in Welsh, and are a great place for children to be introduced to the idea that music doesn’t just happen in English.

As I’ve mentioned before on Cardiff Mummy Says, my children are in Welsh-medium education. My eldest two children are in years two and reception respectively, and my youngest is in a cylch meithrin (Welsh nursery playgroup) two days a week. Although I studied Welsh at secondary school and then at university, I didn’t grow up in a Welsh-speaking household or go to a Welsh medium school myself. When I had children, it made me realise that I didn’t know a single Welsh nursery rhyme or the kind of basic phrases you use with children. These kinds of classes were as beneficial for me as they were/are for my children, opening the gateway to Welsh language music.

Please note all events are subject to change or cancellation. For more information on the classes, contact the organisers directly.

Let me know if I’m missing any Welsh/bilingual baby, toddler and pre-school singing sessions in and around Cardiff in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy

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For all my posts on local family-friendly activities, see the Cardiff section of Cardiff Mummy Says

Babi Bach

Fun and lively bilingual pre-school classes run by professional musician and experienced educationalist Penni. Each term sees a new theme, with vocabulary being taught in song form or with the use of short rhymes.

Classes must be paid for by term or half term and work out a £5 per session.

Monday – 10am Adventure Island, Barry Island

Wednesday – 9.45am Highlight Park Community Centre

Thursday – 10am and 2pm, Giggles Toy Shop, High Street Barry

Friday – 9.45am, The Old School, South Road, Sully

Ffa La La

Classes are packed with songs, instruments, props and puppets, meaning parents and children can learn together. You can also recreate the fun at home with Ffa La La’s CD and resources developed by experienced teacher and S4C familiar face Carys. Classes are age-appropriate, with 0-12 focusing on traditional Welsh songs and lullabies, sensory touch and gentle movement; classes for 1-4 years focusing on numbers, colours and action and movement songs.

£5 per child and £3 per sibling

Monday

Jellybugs Soft Play, Mothercare, Newport Road, Cardiff (contact to reserve a space)

2-4 years 10-10.30am

1-2 years 10.45am-11.15am

0-12 months 11.30am-12pm

Ararat Baptist Church, Whitchurch

9.30am-10am 0-12 months

10.15-11am 1-4 years

Tuesday

Bethany Baptist Church, Rhiwbina

10am-10.45am 1-4 years

11.30am-12pm 0-12 months

Wednesday

Canton Community Centre

9.30am-10am 0-12 months

10.15-11.30am 1-4 years (soft play and craft after session)

Thursday

Christ Church, Roath Park, Cardiff

10am-10.30am 2-4 years

10.45am-11.15am 1-2 years

11.30am-12noon 0-12 months

Friday

Go Air Trampoline Park, Ty Glas Avenue, Llanishen

10am-10.30am 2-4 years

10.45am-11.15am 1-2 years

11.30am-12pm 0-12 months

Trampoline for £1 after the sessions

Storytime and play

Yr Hen Llyfrgell, The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff

Mondays, 10.30am-12pm, £2 per baby/child

Welsh language play, stories and singing for children aged 0-4 and their grown-ups, plus the opportunity to socialise and meet other parents.

FREE Story time / Amser Stori

Cardiff Libraries

Stories, singing and activities for 0-4 year olds and their grown ups. Organised by Cardiff Libraries in association with Menter Caerdydd.

Monday

Ely Hyb Library, 10.15-10.45

Cardiff Central Library, 11-11.30

Tuesday

Grangetown Library, 11am

Whitchurch Library 2.15pm

Wednesday

Radyr Library, 10.30am

Penylan Library, 2.15pm

Friday

Canton Library, 10.30am

Cwtsh Cymraeg Play Sessions

The Commercial Hotel, Cilfynydd Road, Pontypridd

Wednesdays

Songs, stories and sensory play create a stimulating and nurturing environment for little ones and their grown-ups to discover the Welsh language together. Run by Katie, the workshops are engaging and interactive, using simplicity and repetition so that children quickly pick up Welsh words and language.

Runs in blocks of 4 or 6 pre-booked sessions. Suitable for ages 18 months to 3 years.

FREE Story and Rhyme Time in Welsh for Babies

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Thursdays during term time, 10am-11.30am

Storytelling and singing for parents and babies, through the medium of Welsh, as well as soft play equipment for youngsters. Suitable for 0-4 years. In partnership with Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent.

Ti a Fi (You and Me)

Ti a Fi sessions are held across Wales, with several groups in Cardiff (see their Facebook page for details). The Welsh language parent and baby/toddler groups are open to non-Welsh speakers and Welsh speakers alike, and combine play, singing and activities to encourage language development.