Why Clean-Up Time Doesn’t Have to Be a Cry-Fest
If you’ve ever been in a Rock-a-Baby class during the “Clean-Up Boogaloo,” you’ve probably witnessed it: the moment the music starts, a few little ones start to scream or cry. Why? Because clean-up time means saying goodbye to a beloved toy—and that’s hard when you’re a toddler or baby deeply immersed in play. But here’s the magic: within minutes, those same children are often beaming as they explore a new instrument or dance under a shower of bubbles. It’s not a trick—it’s the art (and science) of rhythm, routine, and redirection.
The Emotional Moment of Saying Goodbye
Young children don’t yet have the sense of time or emotional flexibility to know that something good can follow something disappointing. That xylophone they’ve been banging on? It might as well be gone forever in their minds. Developmentally, toddlers are just beginning to form attachments, make choices, and assert independence. So when we ask them to give something up—even temporarily—it can feel like a loss.
According to Dr. Tovah Klein, child psychologist and author of How Toddlers Thrive, transitions are particularly challenging for children under the age of five. “Toddlers live in the moment,” she explains. “They don’t yet have the capacity to understand that what comes next might be even better.” Their brains are wired to focus on the now, not the next.
Enter: The Clean-Up Boogaloo
That’s where Rock-a-Baby’s “Clean-Up Boogaloo” comes in. This groovy, musical transition is our playful cue that it’s time to wrap up one activity and move on to the next. The familiar tune acts like a signal: change is coming, but it’s going to be okay. At first, some kids resist. But over time, they learn the pattern: Clean-Up Boogaloo is always followed by something awesome.
Sometimes, it’s a “Spotlight Instrument” like an agogo, djembe, or gathering drum—something shiny and new to touch, hear, and explore. Other times, it’s our beloved bubble time, complete with a musical backdrop of classical or jazz recordings. These moments captivate even the most hesitant toddlers.
The Science of Redirection and Routine
What’s happening here is supported by early childhood research. Children thrive on predictable structure and positive redirection. When transitions are paired with a consistent sensory cue (like a song) and a promise of joy ahead, children begin to internalize that shift and respond with less anxiety over time.
According to a 2019 study published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly, musical transitions can significantly reduce challenging behaviors in group settings. Music acts as both a behavioral cue and a mood regulator, helping children move from one activity to another more smoothly and with a sense of safety.
In another study by researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS), children who participated in musical play showed increased activity in brain regions related to emotion regulation and prediction. In other words, music helps children feel more in control—and less thrown by surprises.
Learning to “Go with the Flow”
As families continue attending Rock-a-Baby, something amazing happens: children begin to anticipate the sequence. They know the instrument or ball time will end with the Clean-Up Boogaloo. They trust that something fun will come next. And they start to let go more easily.
This isn’t just about music—it’s a lesson in resilience and flexibility. By experiencing transitions that are both fun and predictable, our little learners build confidence in navigating change. And when they light up at the next activity, we know: they’re learning to go with the flow, one beat at a time.
So if your toddler cries during clean-up, don’t worry—it’s part of the process. With music, love, and a little boogaloo, they’ll be laughing again in no time.
