WHAT To EXPECT at each baby and toddler group

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After you've signed in at the Care Home reception, you will be shown to the space where we will be meeting.  You will be warmly welcomed by Joe, creator of Butterfly Buddies Baby and Toddler Groups.  She'll show you where you can put your stuff and will give you and your little one a name badge.  It can be a bit daunting at first and so there will be a few toys out to play with as everyone arrives and gets comfortable.

As soon as most people have arrived Joe introduces Bongo the Butterfly and we get stuck in with our Good Morning song.  We then sing a fun action song called Fly Like a Butterfly - the residents love to join in with this one too! It's a very popular activity.

We then move on to the Song Bag. Children are encouraged to take the Song Bag to one of our older friends but no one has to do anything they're not comfortable with.  We sing lots of great nursery rhymes and you soon learn who has a favourite! 

We like to fill the space with joyful noise and so we'll often dance and move to our Shaker Song with musical instruments and we encourage lots of movement for everyone.

At some point in the morning, we sit down for a story - and sometimes we get a special treat when one of the residents reads it for us.  This can be a really magical moment.

During our Mix and Mingle time we get out more toys to play with and the Care Home usually provides juice and biscuits for everyone.  This is a great time to get to know one another or just play games together.  There will also be an opportunity to do a simple themed craft.  These are provided on trays and we encourage residents and children to work together but as always, only if they are comfortable to do so.

After a little tidy up, we start to wind the session down with some colourful scarf action songs. 

And then it's everyone's favourite - bubbles! With a hearty rendition of 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'.  Each little one leaves with an 'I made a difference today' sticker. 

We wave goodbye and everyone leaves feeling a little more joyful and uplifted.