Baby Boogie - Manchester

Fantastic movement play dance class for 0-3 year olds and their grown-ups! For more info contact: pasturesnew71 at hotmail.com

'Baby Boogie' is the informal name for the practice of 'Developmental Movement Play'. I am a qualified Developmental Movement Play teacher, having trained and worked with the Bare Toed Dance Company since 2002. I also run CPD training sessions for Early Years workers.

My main weekly classes are the Thursday morning sessions at St Werburgh's, (Corner of St Werburgh’s Road and Wilbraham Road, M21 0UH, Chorlton). Other sessions I run are with Sure Start groups and at the Whitworth Art Gallery in town. I also work with nursery and primary schools, and with disabled teens and adults.

The following list breaks down some of the principles behind and content of 'Baby Boogie' movement /play dance sessions:

Sessions will always include a warm up, time to explore a theme and a relaxation. We'll always use props – e. g. satin clothes, a big elastic band, stretchy Lycra, and specific objects connected with the themes we are exploring (e. g. fallen leaves from the trees if we’re looking at Autumn, a sombrero if we’re looking at Spain! )

• The sessions take developmental stages into consideration and use themes that children relate to their own experience. Sessions always adapt to the group, and whenever possible take inspiration from the children themselves, listening to their suggestions and developing their ideas. Children are physical - it's the first language children communicate to us in, and the first we communicate to them in - rocking, snuggling, bouncing, etc. . . At Baby Boogie we create a space that optimises what children need. So what do we do. . . lots of rolling, swinging, spinning, rocking, running, jumping, tickling, hugging, smiling, singing, sliding, bouncing, crawling, and so much more. And you do it all as well! That's another things grown-ups like. . . it's a bit of a work out for them too! Parents are educated to the theory and practice and play of it all. The ages of children in the class varies, from little babes through to 3 /4 year olds. The same activities are adapted for children of different ages, so for example, if we are doing jumping (perhaps being frogs! ), then the older children would jump with their own legs and the babes would experience the pleasure of jumping while being carried by their grown-up.

• Parents with more than one child love the class too, as it meets the needs for their babes and older walking /running /talking children.

• Sessions are based on sound current research into developmental movement and allow time for kinaesthetic learning, revisiting developmental stages, creative, imaginative and emotional expression.

• Sessions also develop physical skills such as balance, co-ordination, strength, stamina, gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and social skills like turn taking, sharing and communication.

• The sessions create special times and places to move, to play and ‘step into the dance’, which in turn foster self-awareness and self-esteem.

• Sessions support the development of rich relationships with peers, staff, other adult carers, and the group.

We do have fun and Baby Boogie. Lots of imagination is stimulated. A session is always planned but I will always read the energy of the group, and so adapt things. People seem to like this flow. I also love parents to recommend a theme to me, maybe something that their child is especially into at the moment.

And all sorts of grown-ups come to Baby Boogie, mainly Mums, as they are usually the main carer of their children, but we have a quite a few Dad's, and even if they can't come regularly the working Dad's jump at the chance to come when they are off work. We have Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles and great Aunts and Uncles. If you have grandparents or Aunts /Uncles visiting then please know that you are free to bring them along too. Lots of people book for many terms. They make good friends within the group, as grown-ups and between the children.

I also have a couple of Internet faces for Baby Boogie. Please pass on this info to any people you know who you think might be interested in coming along with their wee ones too. Still some places : )
Baby Boogie Twitter page - http://twitter.com/ #! /BabyBoogieMcr
Baby Boogie facebook fanpage - become a fan and leave comments on the page! ! - http://www. facebook.com/pages /Baby-Boogie-Manchester /154332727948288r.

I've attached a booking form and some pictures from the classes for your info, and for if you forward this info to a friend.

warm wishes

Annabel