A traditional Ringató session is attended by around 15-20 families and lasts 30 minutes. We ask anyone interested in helping organise regular Ringató sessions to consider and keep in mind the following points.
Frequency of sessions
Sessions may be held weekly with a permanent session leader, or monthly with either a permanent leader or different leaders.
The ideal venue
The ideal venue is an accessible ground-floor room that can easily be reached with a pushchair. If the room is upstairs, a working lift is required.
Room and furnishings
A relatively empty room of around 40 square metres is required, without toys, gym equipment or children's furniture.
Around 20 square metres of proper carpet or floor felt is needed on the floor. Cushions are not necessary; foam mats, beanbags, rag rugs and various blankets are not suitable for this purpose.
Comfort of participants
Chairs arranged around the carpet are required for adults. It is also advisable to provide a normal-height table.
Storage and practical requirements
It is important to provide safe storage for pushchairs, coats and other belongings by the entrance or possibly in the area immediately outside the room.
It is helpful to have a baby-changing area.
- a Ringató singing-and-play session for families with young children;
- a community of educators and teachers who love and practise singing and organise sessions for families with young children;
- a music education method that received the Hungarian Heritage Award in 2021;
- a popular book series;
- a publishing house operating since 2018;
- a television programme produced in 1998 entitled Ringató;
- a foundation.
About Ringató sessions
The aim of Ringató sessions is to introduce families with young children to the possibilities of music education in a relaxed, loving atmosphere, and to let parents experience the joy of singing and playing together with their children.
The focus is not on teaching or developing the children. Above all, we want to awaken adults' desire to sing, encourage them and help them choose valuable musical material.
Musical experience from the earliest age
It is important to us that children's artistic education - including music education - should begin at the earliest age, helping them become sensitive and receptive to good music and the arts.
That is why we surround them with live singing, rhymes, nursery rhymes and instrumental music, and they can also join in lap games if they feel like it.
Who can take part in the sessions?
Children are welcome at Ringató sessions from just a few months of age until the beginning of kindergarten, together with their parents and grandparents.
Alongside the joy of singing, rhyming and lap games together, parents can learn songs, rhymes and games that they can happily sing and play with their children at home.
We do not divide children into age groups. We are delighted when fathers and grandparents join the sessions as well as mothers.
Families can join the groups at any time; advance registration is generally not required.
How do Ringató sessions work?
Regular, traditional Ringató sessions last 30 minutes.
Stage or concert-style Ringató events, as well as weekend, festive or "dads'" sessions, may differ from this.
The calm atmosphere of the sessions can be disturbed by toys being brought out or by food and drinks left within reach.
What should you keep in mind when attending?
Late arrivals, conversations between adults or a ringing mobile phone can also disrupt the session.
Participants sit on chairs or on the carpet, so comfortable clothing, socks - even in summer - and indoor shoes are practical.
Participation fee
Participation fees vary by location and are generally HUF 2,000-2,500.
We also regularly organise free programmes.
For the current participation fee, please contact the session leader at the relevant location.
Where can I find a Ringató session?
Our website lists all our session leaders and all our locations in Hungary and abroad.
I hope that families with young children throughout Hungary and beyond our borders will find us and take joy in singing and playing together.
"Ringató has now travelled throughout Hungary, the Carpathian Basin, several European countries and even overseas. The most important thing is to offer a singing-and-play experience to adults and the youngest children alike.
Together with my students, we turn to art to use it as a tool for education. We show one possible path towards a fulfilling life - not the only one, not the best one, but one among many: a reliably good one."
(Ilona Gróh)
