CLASS STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Each class is 45 minutes with three sections: a beginning and end that stay the same every week, and a middle that changes with genre/theme. Follow the class plan and use Spotify for all music and backing tracks.

HELLO SONG
Sit at the front of the semi-circle and sing to the class. On 'if you're ready shout hey!' raise your arms in the air. On the closing 'welcome to baby...welcome to Baby Band' line, wave and make eye contact with all the children.

FEATHERS (BREATHING EXERCISE)
Hand out a few feathers per child. Model blowing them gently into the air with a flat hand, explain to parents that children under 18 months can't blow yet, so the grown-up does it for them. Leave the feathers on the mats once the track finishes.

MARACAS
Hand out a maraca to each child (smaller ones for babies). This activity is about starting, stopping, and being quiet together. Build up 'shake, shake, shake... STOP!' to the tune of the 'Charge' fanfare, repeated three times. Collect maracas back into the bag afterwards, encouraging older children to help tidy up.

WIGGLE AND FREEZE
A fast/slow movement song. Follow the song's movements, adapting for younger or less mobile children. Big round of applause at the end, this marks the end of the warm-up before genre songs begin.

GENRE SONGS
Hand out instruments as you introduce each genre song, naming the instrument and modelling how to use it, and telling children the musical concept for that song (e.g. fast, pulse, loud). Praise and interact with individual children through the song, then collect instruments and applaud at the end.

ACTION SONG
One action song per class, changing with each genre block. Encourage children to sit with their grown-up so they can do the actions together. Builds hand-eye coordination, listening skills, language, participation, and motor development.

SCARVES
One scarf per child plus spares in the middle. Demonstrate different ways to use it: big circles, up/down swishes, zig-zags, both hands, scrunch-and-throw, hold high and wave, peekaboo. Leave scarves on the floor at the end and move into chatting songs.

CHATTING SONGS
Two songs with no instruction given, children explore instruments in the tubs while grown-ups chat. Use this time to tidy away feathers and scarves, then sit and chat with families. Collect all instruments back into the tub once finished.

SONG BY HEART
One nursery rhyme sung at every class in a block, to help children recognise and learn it by heart. Research shows children who know 8+ nursery rhymes before starting school get a literacy and phonics boost.

FINAL GENRE SONG / BOOMWHACKERS
Tip instruments into the middle and invite children to collect their own. Explain long equals low note, short equals high note, and that their job is to be loud. Collect all instruments once finished, mats should now be clear for the end section.

BABY BAND SONG (END SECTION)
Marks the start of the end section, stamping feet, clapping hands, dancing together.

BUBBLES
Turn the volume down slightly and walk the bubble machine around the circle so every child gets a turn popping bubbles. Stop the machine around 30 seconds before the song ends and let children pop the last few.

GOODBYE SONG
Final song of the class. Simple actions: wave to the girls, wave to the boys, wave to everyone with both hands. Big clap at the end, thank everyone for coming.

STICKERS AND STAMPS
Play an arriving/leaving playlist. Invite bigger children to come and choose whether they'd like a sticker and a stamp, modelling good manners by asking each child first.