Kids February 2009 3
Three-year-old Alexandra
is among the first to try
Tatty Bumpkin classes.
Emma Morley discovers
what inspired the simple
yoga movements
A
huge smile appears
on Alexandra's face
as she listens intently
to Marie Wightman
telling the story of
Tatty Bumpkin's latest adven-
ture.
It's not long before Alexandra is
on her feet, giggling as she hops,
skips and jumps with the Tatty
Bumpkin doll.
Three-year-old Alexandra and
her mum Nicola Harper are
among the first to attend Marie's
Tatty Bumpkin children's classes
in North Cumbria.
The classes were the creation of
Sam Petter in 2004 and inspired by
simple yoga movements, they are
designed to be fun but
educational.
And the flexible and creative
activities are not just for the
children � grown-ups are
encouraged to join in as well.
Nicola, from Harker, said: "It is
something for Alexandra to do
outside nursery and it gets her to
use her imagination and she looks
to be really enjoying it.
"It is a good way of getting
children used to movement.
"For the adults, it helps to get
rid of inhibitions and to bond
with their child."
The Tatty Bumpkin doll is at
the heart of each class and helps
to bring ideas to life and
encourage the children to become
involved in the experience.
Children learn through audio,
visual and using touch and
animals and props are used with
the yoga movements, music and
storytelling.
The classes have been developed
by education specialists, yoga
teachers, paediatric
physiotherapists and musicians.
Marie, 35, first saw the Tatty
Bumpkin line of clothing in the
outdoor clothing shop she was
working in and when she found
out about the ethical nature of the
business she became interested in
offering the classes.
All the materials used by the
company are made from organic
cotton by a fair trade co-operative
and Tatty Bumpkin was voted in
the top 100 ethical UK companies.
Marie said: "I always wanted to
run my own business and I liked
the fact that Tatty Bumpkin is an
ethical business.
"I think children and their
parents or carers can get a lot out
of the classes."
Marie, from Fletchertown near
Wigton, now manages a franchise
of Tatty Bumpkin in North
Cumbria.
She received Cache (Council for
Awards in Children's Care and
Education) accredited training
and the classes also encompass
the Early Years Foundation Stage
through its stories each week.
The classes are suitable for
children aged 18 months to five.
More taster sessions are taking
place this week and weekly
classes start in the coming weeks,
including classes in Penrith, west
Cumbria and the Carlisle area.
Marie can also run Tatty
Bumpkin children's parties.
To find out more call 0845
6802082 or visit www.north
cumbria.tattybumpkin.com
Your flexible friend
Moving experience: Marie Wightman introduces Alexandra Harper to Tatty Bumpkin
movement and music classes at Harraby Community Centre JONATHAN BECKER

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