'Baby Song'

A 'Baby Song' group is a music group where parents and their infants are invited to spend time deepening their emotional, physical and spiritual relationship through music, song and movement. Originally a Salvation Army initiative in Sweden in the early 90s, it has now been translated and adapted for use in the UK.

Each session starts with a 45-minute musical programme, including material from the Boom Chicka Boom Amazing and Embracing CDs. Traditional songs and nursery rhymes provide comforting familiarity alongside more contemporary material, some with a distinctive Scandinavian feel. The mood created is gentle and affirming, something which is enhanced by the creative use of items such as instruments, puppets, mirrors and floaty scarves.

Songs for different occasions

Baby Song is not intended to be just a once-a-week music experience, but to present music to families so that they can use it at home. For example, there are songs to sing when the baby doesn't want to sleep, songs to have fun with, dances that strengthen the contact between parent and child, and songs describing God as loving and caring. One mum said that she finds herself singing the songs 'at home and in the car', which proves that it works!

The musical section is followed by a time of fellowship (a further 45 minutes), with refreshments and toys for the children to play with. Baby Song is all about 'relationship' and making a positive impact with young families - so this is a time to treasure, where the leaders are encouraged to sit down and join in the conversations.

The recommendation is that each Baby Song group should have at least two leaders:

• The music leader, who does not need to be a vocal expert but should be able to hold a tune and keep the music time flowing. They are advised not to use a CD player to 'sing along' to, because the key element is to hear each other's voices. The mums are told, "To your child, the most beautiful voice in the world is yours!"
• The host, who takes care of the practical things, including the welcome, operating the powerpoint so that the parents have words to the songs, and serving the refreshments.

It is highly recommended that all prospective leaders attend a Baby Song weekend training course. They must all undergo a CRB check and receive child protection training.

Songs for different ages

Baby Song is most suitable for babies from 3 months to 'walking', because the tempo is calm and gentle, and the emphasis is on building the relationship between the parent/carer and the child. It exemplifies what the experts call 'infant-directed singing'.

Toddler Song is similar in format but aimed at more active children, from 'walking' up to the age of 4, and includes the leader interacting more directly with the children.

Four- to six-year-olds can begin to form a Children's Choir. At this age they are accompanied by their parents for the first half of the session. During the second half, however, the parents leave them to practise and are encouraged to socialise with each other elsewhere (possibly even forming their own choir).

Baby Song sessions are not for older children because they can disturb the atmosphere, so some groups run a Sibling Song concurrent with the Baby Song. In addition, the Norwegians have Cocoon groups which are designed specially for families unable to attend an open session, for example, parents in refuge homes. So, you can see that when you set up a Baby Song group, the ministry should naturally grow as the children do - into two, three, or maybe more sessions.

Read about the Baby Song group in Williamstown here.

To find out more about Baby Song, please email John Smith, Head of Adult and Family Ministries at the Salvation Army, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to listen to samples from the Boom Chicka Boom CD.

'O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
       Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,
       silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.'
Psalm 8:1, 2

Last Updated 24 February 2010