When babies turn one, something big starts to happen in class. The calm lap-sits, cute snuggles and gentle sways you’re used to can suddenly turn into wiggly bodies, crawlers on the move, cruisers pulling themselves up, or new walkers testing their steps.
And parents often wonder:
Are they still paying attention?
Are they getting anything out of this?
The answer is yes. 100% ABSOLUTELY!!!
Around their first birthday, kiddos often enter a natural movement phase. Everything they’ve been soaking in during their first year — the songs, the sounds, the rhythm, the rituals, the social cues — is still very much there. The difference now is that their bodies are driven to practise moving and to put all of that learning into action.
Here’s the connection:
When you see them bouncing or toddling across the room, they’re testing the rhythm and balance that were built through all of music and movement activities.
When they crawl away but pause at the sound of a familiar song, they’re showing you they’ve stored that 'ready stop' call to action and can really recognise it!
When they clap, sway, or vocalise while on the move, that’s imitation and timing coming together with motor skills.
So even though it might look like they’re 'not paying attention,' they’re actually showing you just how much they’ve absorbed, except now it’s with their whole body.
So if your kiddo spends class zooming around or refusing to stay on your lap, don’t worry. They’re not tuning out. They’re levelling up.
Village at this stage of their development gives kiddos the space to:
Explore movement in a safe, sensory-rich environment.
Repeat familiar songs and routines that bring comfort in the middle of new changes.
Stay close to their grownup for co-regulation, while still testing independence in short bursts.
Build confidence before moving into the faster pace and bigger variety of Our Time.
It’s a bridge term. Letting your child practise their new mobility while still having the gentle repetition and predictability of Village.
Notice the small moments — the glance back at you, the wiggle in rhythm, the little imitation of a sound. These are all signs of connection and learning. In brainspeak, this is called back-and-forth signalling and joint attention. Remember, you’re their petrol pump: they check in with you, refuel, and then head off again.
Stay engaged — keep singing, clapping, and joining in, even if your child is moving around. They’re still listening, and they’ll return to you when they need to. Your presence gives them a steady anchor in the middle of all their new discoveries.
Reframe wandering — what looks like distraction is actually active processing. In brainspeak, this is the integration phase: children take in new experiences, then move their bodies to 'file' and connect that learning. Movement is how their brains put it all together.
Take the class to them — instead of trying to bring them back, incorporate their exploring into what we’re doing. If they’re cruising while we’re dancing, dance around them. If they’ve wandered to the other side of the room at Busy Box time, bring an instrument over. In brainspeak, this is called shared attention in motion: meeting them where they are keeps connection alive and learning flowing.
This phase can sometimes make you feel a little redundant, because they seem to be off doing 'their own thing.' But it’s actually such an incredible part of their development. That leap from baby to independent little explorer, discovering how their body, brain and new skills all work together.
So if your one-year-old is suddenly 'all over the place,' know this: they’re right on track. Trust that their curiosity, energy, and movement are building the foundations for everything that comes next in Our Time and enjoy every one of their tiny little steps along the way.
Miss Tania 💛 🐝 🎶
