Families from Lithuania, Poland, Spain, and Portugal were among those who attended the free public event at Ravenswood Community Children’s Centre in Henning Avenue today.
“Children from first and second generations were exposed to different ethnicities and they all mixed really well together, which was nice to see,” said Charmaine Keep, a family support practitioner at Suffolk County Council, which runs the children’s centre.
“The children were sharing, playing and talking together, which is important as it prepares them for school and helps them to accept others. It was a really positive community event – especially with what is going on in the news.
“The children could see and hear other languages being spoken – and that other children also have a mummy and also play with toys. Some mothers spoke in their mother tongue to one child and English to another. It helps break down the barrier (among parents) as English speaking parents could see that others are actually doing their best to speak English and teach their children.”
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