At Boogie Beat, we believe a great music and movement session is about so much more than singing songs, dancing and having fun.
Of course, there is plenty of that! There are stories, songs, music, props, bubbles, instruments, dancing, laughter and lots of energy.
But what really makes our sessions special is the connection we build with the people in the room.
Because when a child walks through the door, we want them to feel that they belong.
“Hello, what’s your name?”
One of the simplest things we do is also one of the most important: we learn names.
We make an effort to learn the names of the children – and also the adults who bring them along too (you aren’t just child x’s parent)
There is something incredibly powerful about hearing your name being called. It tells you that you have been noticed. That you are important. That someone remembers you.
For a child, walking into a class and hearing, “Hello Sophie, it’s lovely to see you, what have you been up to this week!” can make such a difference.
And it is often the little moments that stay with us.
The child who was shy when they first started but now confidently joins in.
The toddler who finally tries the action they have been watching everyone else do.
The baby who recognises a familiar song and gives the biggest smile.
The child who remembers what comes next in their favourite story.
These moments matter.
Making sure everyone can join in
We also believe that every child should have the opportunity to take part in their own way.
Children are wonderfully different. They communicate differently, move differently, respond to sensory experiences differently and have different levels of confidence.
That is why inclusion is such an important part of Boogie Beat.
Our franchisees have Makaton training, and we use signs alongside songs and storytelling to help support communication.
Our sensory boxes and sensory resources, including items such as ear defenders and tactile equipment, means children can explore and participate in ways that work for them.
We use visual resources, social stories and adapted activities where appropriate, and our team continues to develop their understanding of SEND and inclusion.
But inclusion isn’t simply about the equipment we have.
It is about our attitude.
It is about looking at a child and asking:
“How can we help you join in?”
Rather than:
“Why aren’t you joining in?”
Sometimes joining in means dancing in the middle of the room.
Sometimes it means watching from the edge.
Sometimes it means holding a prop.
Sometimes it means making one tiny movement.
And sometimes it simply means being there.
All of those things count.
Fun, laughter and connection
We want our sessions to be fun.
Really fun!
Because when children are enjoying themselves, they are more likely to engage, explore, communicate and learn.
Our stories and songs are designed to encourage children to move, listen, imagine, interact and participate. But alongside all of that learning, there is something else happening.
Connection.
A child connecting with their grown-up.
A child connecting with another child.
Us connecting with a family.
A group of people laughing together and there are always some of these! Especially when we forget the words to a song!!
Those shared experiences create a sense of belonging and that is something that we always want to provide.
Celebrating every little milestone
We are also big believers in celebrating children.
Not just the huge milestones, but the little ones too.
Throughout our sessions, we praise children for having a go, joining in, listening, sharing, trying something new and showing kindness.
Because confidence grows when children know that their efforts are noticed.
And then there are our very special Boogie Beat milestone cards and certificates, which help us celebrate those important moments and milestones. We love it when we hand out these, whether a child has completed their first or last class with us, or maybe they have attend 25, 50, 75 or even 100 classes with us – this recognition is so important for us all.
And, of course…
THE STICKERS!
There is something wonderfully exciting about being given a sticker at the end of a session.
And we love our special occasion stickers too – whether it is a party, Halloween, Easter or Christmas, it is another reason to make a child feel extra special and we love seeing them covering the children’s water bottles and back packs!
Creating memories that last
One of the things we love most about Boogie Beat is knowing that the experiences we create can become part of a child’s memories.
Children may not remember every toy they had when they were little.
They may not remember every activity they did.
But they can remember how they felt.
They can remember the songs they loved.
The stories they acted out.
The bubbles floating through the room.
Dancing with their grown-up.
Laughing with their friends.
The excitement of seeing a familiar class teacher at class.
And that favourite song that they still remember years later.
These are the experiences we want to create.
Memories made through music, movement, imagination and connection.
That smile when they come back…
One of the most special things we see is when children return to us during the school holidays.
They may have started school and moved on from their regular Boogie Beat class.
But then the holidays arrive and they come back through the door.
And sometimes, before they have even said hello, their face says everything.
That huge smile.
The excitement.
The recognition.
The “I remember this!”
They know the songs.
They remember the actions.
They recognise the characters.
And they remember the people.
That is when we know that what we do really matters.
Because Boogie Beat isn’t just a class that children attend.
For many families, it becomes a familiar, happy part of childhood.
More than music and movement
We are incredibly proud of the music, stories, resources and activities we create.
But ultimately, what makes Boogie Beat special isn’t just what happens during the session.
It is how we make people feel.
Seen.
Welcomed.
Included.
Encouraged.
Celebrated.
Connected.
And happy.
From learning a child’s name, to finding a way for them to join in, to cheering them on when they try something new, to handing them their very important sticker at the end…
It is the little things that add up to something very big.
They create confidence.
They create connection.
And most importantly, they create memories.
Because childhood is made up of thousands of little moments.
At Boogie Beat, we feel incredibly lucky to be part of some of them.
Have you experienced our sessions yet? If not head to www.boogiebeat.co.uk to find out more. Offering classes, nursery and preschool visits, intergenerational sessions, birthday parties, events and after school clubs.