A Russian musical playgroup has been set up in Accrington to help youngsters remember their native language and culture.
Nastasya Smirnova started the group at her home in December after failing to find Russian-speaking groups for her three children.
The 36-year-old, who works as a voluntary teaching assistant at St John with St Augustine school, also wanted youngsters to share in her passion for music.
Nastasya said it is ‘hugely important’ for her children to learn their native tongue and remember their Russian roots.
She started the group for her children – three-year-old Lauren, Mathew, seven and Nina, eight – and now has youngsters coming from as far as Manchester, Clitheroe and Leyland.
Nastasya said: “Before my eldest daughter started school we had more freedom as we could spend as long as a whole year in Russia.
“When she was four she started school and we now can’t go back very often, only for summer.
“I want them to keep up with their Russian and to expose them to more music.
“Some of the parents I know from Accrington have decided not to participate in my group which I find strange. It’s not something you find on every corner.”
Nastasya moved to the UK in 2003 and previously taught musical classes at a Russian school in Salford.
She started the two groups at her home on Avenue Parade for pre-school and school-age youngsters.
Children who attend the playgroup are encouraged to speak in Russian, sing songs, dance and play instruments.
Nastasya said: “I have it at my home because I have a really big room and it works so far. It’s very convenient as I have so many materials and resources here.
“I want to give the children here the opportunity to experience music through all its forms.
“It doesn’t really matter whether the child has musical talent or not. I believe everybody is a musical person. Everybody has a sense of rhythm.
“It’s very important as it helps their brain develop and also makes it easier to learn a foreign language. I motivate them to learn both and it goes hand in hand.”
