At Boogie Beat, inclusion, communication, and children’s rights sit at the very heart of everything we do — even though what you see on the surface is lots of music, movement, stories, and fun.
In our sessions over the past few weeks, we’ve been celebrating Burns and Scottish culture — but as we move through the start of the year, we wanted to take a moment to zoom out and share something that underpins so much of our work.
Many nurseries and schools across Scotland actively use the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to help teach children about their rights and to help keep them safe, supported, and respected. And although Boogie Beat is full of imagination and joy, underneath it all sits a very deep commitment to children’s rights, wellbeing, and development.
In this blog, we want to highlight four key UNCRC articles that connect directly to what we do in every Boogie Beat session.
Article 2 – Non-Discrimination: The Right to Be Included
Every child has the right to be treated fairly and included, no matter their abilities, background, or needs.
At Boogie Beat, we:
- Use Makaton signs and visual supports
- Adapt stories and activities for different learning needs
- Encourage participation at a child’s own pace
- Create a safe and welcoming environment for all families
- Celebrate differences through songs, stories, and imaginative play
Inclusion isn’t an “extra” for us — it’s foundational to everything we do.
Article 12 – The Right to Be Heard
Children must be given opportunities to express themselves, and adults must listen.
In our sessions, children communicate through:
- Voice
- Movement
- Gesture
- Makaton
- Play
- Choice-making
We actively make space for children’s ideas, preferences, and contributions. Their voices shape the story, the actions, and the direction of the session.
This is exactly why multi-sensory and multi-modal communication are such an important part of our practice.
Article 23 – The Rights of Children with Disabilities
Children with disabilities have the right to support that helps them live full and active lives.
We support this by:
- Offering multisensory learning
- Using consistent structure and routine
- Incorporating movement, rhythm, and repetition
- Understanding that children develop in different ways and at different speeds
- Working flexibly with families and practitioners
- Ensuring our teaching team is trained in Makaton and child development
No child should be excluded from joy, music, or play because the environment isn’t accessible — so we work hard to make it accessible.
Article 31 – The Right to Play
Play is not a luxury. It is essential for children’s learning, wellbeing, and development.
Our sessions are rich in:
- Imaginative play
- Storytelling
- Music
- Dance
- Sensory exploration
- Movement
- Creativity
Through play, children practise the skills that prepare them for life: communication, confidence, social skills, physical development, emotional regulation, and connection.
Bringing It All Together
Boogie Beat is more than a music-and-movement class.
It is a space where children’s rights are protected and celebrated — where they are included, listened to, supported, and free to explore the world through play, story, music, and movement.
By aligning with Articles 2, 12, 23, and 31 of the UNCRC, we help make sure that every child feels valued, and every family knows they belong.
Coming Soon : How Makaton Supports Children’s Rights
On 9th February, we’ll be sharing a dedicated blog all about how we use Makaton at Boogie Beat, and how it directly supports children’s communication, inclusion, and their right to be heard — especially in relation to Article 12 of the UNCRC.
We’ll explore how Makaton fits into our sessions, why it matters so much for accessibility and confidence, and how it helps us make sure every child has a voice — whether they use words, signs, movement, or all three.
Written by Mairi Curle
Owner & Franchisee, Boogie Beat Edinburgh, Mid & East Lothian