Up Close with: Hucknall Zumbini group 'Little Legs with Lauren'

Zumbini classes are becoming increasingly popular among parents with young children up and down the country. There is now a class which meets on a Wednesday morning in Hucknall, and it is proving a huge success.

Created by Zumba, Zumbini is an educational programme that combines music and movement to aid the development of young children up to the age of four.

The class in Hucknall, 'Little Legs with Lauren' is led by Lauren Donnelly from Giltbrook and meets upstairs at The John Godber Centre at 10am every week.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Ms Donnelly said: "It's gone from strength to strength, we're pretty much sold out every week. It's a really lively session, I really love it. It's like a party for kids. There's no pressure at all. In theory from about six months, they can get something from it."

"It's all about energy, children moving, coordination, fine motor skills, playing instruments, having a boogie, having that bonding time as well. People tend not to sit on their phones or anything like that because it's so engaging. It's about having fun with your kids and getting them involved, getting them moving, getting them to learn music and love music because that's a massive part of our lives as well.

"If it's fun then people are going to do it. I think I'm quite relatable, there's no pressure, I'm just a local mum, who is running the sessions, it's not a fitness class, I'm not a dance instructor.

"I love it obviously but it is a really, really good session. The reason I started it is because I used to go to the West Bridgford sessions, and I used to travel from here to west Bridgford to go to Zumbini because I loved it so much."

Having participated in a session, it's accurate to say that there is no pressure on the children to join in or conform and this adds to the culture of warmth and enjoyment that is at the centre of the class. There is freedom of expression for the children and its about them finding out how to get the most out of the class rather than being expected to behave in or act a certain way.

For newcomers, the routines are easy to pick up and they lend themselves to giving parents an invaluable opportunity to bond with their children.

The classes cost £6 each but there are discounts for parents with more than one child and a buy one get one free offer for parents with twins.

Sessions have to be booked in advance but there is no requirement to block book giving parents the flexibility to pick and choose how often they attend.

Rosie, one of the mums who attends the classes regularly, said: "The social aspect is really good, the age ranges, it's suitable for all ages really. And the fact that it's not a certain booking, it's not block booking which is good."

Sarah, another of the mums, said: "My three year old boy/girl twins and I all enjoy Little Legs Zumbini classes in Hucknall. It's a great opportunity for them to develop their coordination skills with dancing and making music, but in a way that is open to exploration. Lauren offers lots of encouragement to all the children and rather than following set dance routines throughout, they have lots of opportunities to express themselves freely to the music."

For further information about Zumbini or the range of classes Lauren offers, visit her Facebook page here.