NEW YORK – Oh My Goodness Kids, an indoor children’s play space with locations in Garden City and Port Washington, has announced a new monthly class designed to introduce young children to the Greek language and culture.
The Greek Music & Learning Pop-Up Class will launch on Saturday, September 26, with sessions at the Garden City location at 11:45 AM and the Port Washington location at 2 PM. The classes will be led by Miss Margaret.
Speaking to The National Herald, Oh My Goodness Kids owner Nina Elenis explained that the new program was inspired by her Greek heritage and her passion for sharing the language and culture with young children.
Oh My Goodness Kids looks forward to kicking off their immersive monthly Greek classes. (Photo: Courtesy of Oh My Goodness Kids)
Elenis and her sister, Margaret, opened the first Oh My Goodness Kids location in Garden City in 2020, followed by a second location in Port Washington in 2022.
“My sister and I opened Oh My Goodness Kids together back in 2020, and we’re half Greek… and because of our background, we have a large following from the Greek community – which is really nice,” Elenis told TNH.
“So, we felt like it would be really fun to have something that represented our culture for the people that follow us and that are Greek, and even non-Greek.”
Although the monthly Greek class is a new addition, Elenis noted that she and her sister have hosted an annual Greek Independence Day event for several years, which has proven popular and consistently sells out.
Asked what families can expect from the Greek Music & Learning Pop-Up Class, Elenis described an immersive experience that combines language learning with age-appropriate activities celebrating Greek culture.
“They can expect to learn the Greek language, but in a simple way – because it’s geared towards kids, they can expect sensory activities, to learn Greek songs, and to participate in age-appropriate activities,” she explained.
Oh My Goodness Kids is hosting a Greek Music and Learning Pop-Up event. (Photo: @ohmygoodnesskids, Instagram)
For Elenis, a business owner of almost seven years, introducing the class is particularly meaningful because of her strong connection to her Greek heritage.
“I’m really big on my Greek culture and my Greek heritage, and I go to Greece every summer – or at least I try to – and I try my best to continue with all of our traditions and all those things. To be able to have a class at my business where people want it, they see it and they’re supporting it is really cool,” she said.
Elenis noted that the response to the new program has already been encouraging.
“Our Garden City location currently has just one spot left, actually, and as for Port Washington, there’s still some space available.”
Following the September 26 launch, the next class will take place in October, with the date to be announced.
For more information about the Greek Music & Learning Pop-Up Class, visit www.ohmygoodnesskids.com.
