Little Kin in Action

What a day! Yesterday was all the emotions. 

• Excitement as I was laying out inflatable guitars for our babywearing disco.  

• Joy as I welcomed my families.

• Sweaty as I led the dancing - well along with Oakah - who absolutely eclipsed me with her pompom moves. 

• Cheeky as I dropped in a birthday routine for one of our mums. 

• Sadness as the final class drew to a close. 

• Tears as I hugged my class and accepted a book

• Pride when I left the museum and saw them all having lunch together. 

• Grateful as I saw the photos, heartfelt messages and plans to meet up fly into our group WhatsApp. 

Which I will leave soon so my Little Kin can continue to build a strong community. 

Thank you, all xx

“Honestly my favourite class of the week.”

“Such a lovely group.”

“Aww look at us, dressed, out of the house with our babies, doing yoga, having a drink and everything — so proud and grateful.”

“I remember how terrified I was thinking of joining baby groups…”

“This group is made up of such beautiful mums and babies — I feel like we’ve known each other for a while.”

“Thank you so much for creating this space, leading and guiding us.”

“You really know how to make someone feel special.”

“I will forever be grateful I got to be a part of your classes.”

The project explored how early years experiences, caregiver wellbeing and heritage engagement can be meaningfully brought together through embodied, sensory-led practice.

The programme was delivered as a five-week pilot with 8 families, supported through local funding.

It responded to a need for accessible, supportive spaces for caregivers, while also exploring how museums can become part of everyday family life rather than occasional visits.

Each session combined gentle, restorative movement for caregivers with opportunities for babies to move, explore and take part in shared sensory experiences.

Sessions were designed around the lived realities of postnatal bodies, including shoulder and back strain, pelvic floor recovery and fatigue.

Babies were welcomed as active participants — not separate from the experience — creating a shared environment of movement, play and connection. Baby Yoga was taught for connection and fun.

The museum was not used simply as a backdrop.

Instead, it became part of the experience — supporting families to build familiarity, confidence and emotional connection with the space.

Across the programme:

• Caregivers reported reduced physical tension and increased confidence in movement

• Babies reached key developmental milestones during sessions

• Strong social connections formed between participants

• Families chose to stay, socialise and use the museum café after sessions

• The museum became part of participants’ personal and family stories

• "Nettie we don't want to leave!" the group cried.

In one session, multiple babies reached new movement milestones — moments now directly connected to their experience of the museum. Their little journeys are now part of their wider family stories connected to this special heritage site. 

The project demonstrated the potential for museums to act as spaces for early years wellbeing, connection and belonging.

It also highlighted how embodied, sensory-led approaches can support deeper and more meaningful engagement with heritage from the earliest stages of life.

There is strong potential to develop this work further through extended programmes, intergenerational offers and integration with wider community and health partnerships.