Human beings are creatures of rhythm. The rising and setting sun; the 4 seasons; the ebb and flow of tides — all are intrinsic, eternal parts of life.
Our sense of rhythm begins even before birth. In the womb, we sense one thing: the beating of a mother’s heart.
Hartbeeps is a rhythm and sound-oriented provider of multi-sensory, interactive classes to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Using props, puppets, lighting effects, and a mixture of repetition and variation in sounds — it engages little kids, and sparks their imaginations.
Their parents and caregivers have a great time meeting others and bonding too.
There are Hartbeeps classes all over the UK. There is just one in the US.
And — after a few years of scavenging for space in yoga studios and churches across Fairfield County — now Hartbeeps has its own, dedicated facility.
Right here in Westport.
Hartbeeps is the passion of Ewelina Raus. She met her husband — a Stamford native — when he was playing soccer in her Polish hometown.
They relocated to England, when he played there. The next stop was Connecticut, to be near his family. Ewelina wanted a good school for her daughter, so they chose Westport.
Ewelina Raus
Moving to suburbia was a difficult transition. She had worked in the dental field. But Ewelina says that Hartbeeps — which she first encountered in the UK — was her “calling.”
She was attracted by its colorful, tactile “wonderlands”; its combination of original music, sound effects, songs and lighting.
In 2016 she opened the first American franchise.
It was not an easy sell. “People working in finance didn’t want to wear funny hats” as they participated with their toddlers, she says.
Funny hats can be fun.
But she persisted, in makeshift spaces.
When COVID hit, her daughter was in Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church preschool. Ewelina rented space in the grass area, so everyone could be socially distanced.
A couple of people complained about the music. But, she says, many more people — participants and passersby — liked what they saw, and smiled.
For every session, Ewelina hauled 7 or 8 huge bags of equipment. She began looking for permanent space.
Happy Hartbeeper.
She found space online, at 180 Post Road East (the office building across the Post Road from Casa Me, Finalmente and Jeera Thai). Franco Fellah helped negotiate a lease.
Hartbeeps opened there a month ago.
“Before, I felt like I was renting an apartment,” Ewelina says. “I couldn’t do anything to it.”
She has added her own décor. She created a sensory room, with calming art and natural colors, for a child having a meltdown.
The space encourages adults to stay, talk — and make connections. They are a mix of parents, nannies, au pairs, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Ewelina helps. She enjoys introducing people who she thinks will become good friends.
Hartbeep parents, caregivers and kids. Ewelina is in front.
Hartbeeps has helped her too, she notes. Many of her best friends are people who have brought their young children to her classes.
She urges Westporters with babies and toddlers to check it out.
They’ll like it in a heartbeat.
(For more information on Hartbeeps, click here.)
(“06880” serves all Westporters — of all ages. If we’ve been of service to you, please consider a contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
