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Ba-Dum Check-Up

Pat your heartbeat, stand up tall, open wide and high-five: a cheerful, honest song for the doctor's check-up.

Ages 0–4Feelings and big days2:35Video and moves

Play a 27-second sample

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The Dragon, our dragon mascot, getting sleepy.

What this song is about

Ba-Dum Check-Up is a bouncy song for babies, toddlers and preschoolers who are going to the doctor for a routine check-up. In every chorus children pat their heartbeat on "ba-dum", stand up tall like at the measuring wall, open wide for "Ahh", breathe in deep and blow out slow, and finish with a big high-five. The Dragon goes for a check-up too and gets measured all the way from nose to tail.

The verses follow what really happens at a well-child visit: a soft tape around the head, lying long on the measuring mat, the scale, a cool stethoscope on the chest, a little light in the ears and eyes, a gentle press on the tummy, a tap on the knee and wiggly toes. The bridge is honest about vaccines: sometimes there is a quick pinch, you sit snug on a grown-up's lap with your teddy, it's okay to cry, and then there is a plaster and a cuddle. Sing it on the way, and play doctor with a teddy at home first.

Sung and danced with the Dragon, our mascot who learns new things alongside children.

Learn the moves

Each step shows when it first comes up in the song. Every move works standing or sitting down.

  1. Step 1: Pat your heartbeat

    First at 0:03

    Pat your chest gently with a flat hand on every "ba-dum", like a heartbeat.

  2. Step 2: Stand up tall and open wide

    First at 0:11

    Stretch up as tall as you can, then open your mouth wide and say "Ahh!".

  3. Step 3: Breathe in, blow out

    First at 0:15

    Breathe in deep so your tummy fills up, then blow the air out slowly.

  4. Step 4: Snuggle with teddy

    First at 1:42

    Sit snug on your grown-up's lap and squeeze your teddy while you sing together.

  5. Step 5: Tap, kick, wiggle

    First at 1:56

    Tap gently just below your knee, kick your leg up, then wiggle your toes.

Lyrics

The words as sung. The bits in brackets are the echoes to shout back.

Intro

(Ba-dum, ba-dum!) Little dragon, here we go!

Chorus

Ba-dum, ba-dum, (Pat, pat!) check-up day!Stand up tall, (So tall!) open wide this way, (Ahh!)Breathe in deep, (Mmm...) and blow out slow, (Haaa...)Ba-dum check-up, (High-five!) look at me grow!

Verse 1

Soft tape hugs my head, (Like a hat!)Lie down long (Stretch!) on the measuring mat,Shoes come off, (Plop, plop!) step on the scale,Dragon's turn! (Wow!) Nose, tummy, toes and tail!

Chorus

Ba-dum, ba-dum, (Pat, pat!) check-up day!Stand up tall, (So tall!) open wide this way, (Ahh!)Breathe in deep, (Mmm...) and blow out slow, (Haaa...)Ba-dum check-up, (High-five!) look at me grow!

Verse 2

Cool little circle (Brrr!) on my chest,Breathe in, breathe out, (Haaa!) I'm doing my best,A little light peeks (Peek-a-boo!) in my ears and eyes,Hands on my tummy, (Hee-hee!) a tickly surprise!

Chorus

Ba-dum, ba-dum, (Pat, pat!) check-up day!Stand up tall, (So tall!) open wide this way, (Ahh!)Breathe in deep, (Mmm...) and blow out slow, (Haaa...)Ba-dum check-up, (High-five!) look at me grow!

Bridge

Sometimes there's a pinch, (Ouch!) a quick little sting,Snug on a lap, (Snuggle!) with teddy, we sing,It's okay to cry, (Mmm...) hold me tight,Plaster and a cuddle, (Aww!) we're doing all right.

Verse 3

Tap on my knee, (Tap, tap!) my leg kicks, whee!Froggy legs bend, (Ribbit!) gentle as can be,Wiggle my toes (Wiggle!) for the doctor to see,High-five, little dragon! (Yay!) You and me!

Final Chorus

Ba-dum, ba-dum, (Pat, pat!) check-up day!Stand up tall, (So tall!) open wide this way, (Ahh!)Breathe in deep, (Mmm...) and blow out slow, (Haaa...)Ba-dum check-up, (High-five!) look at me grow!

Outro

Check-up done! (Ba-dum!) Wave bye-bye! (Bye-bye!)Ba-dum check-up! (Hooray!)

For grown-ups

At a routine check-up the doctor or nurse measures your child's length or height and weight (and head size until age 2), listens to the heart and lungs, looks in the ears, eyes and mouth, feels the tummy, checks a baby's hips and taps the knees. Sometimes the visit includes vaccines.

  • Tell your child simply and positively what will happen, and that you will stay with them the whole time. A check-up is never a punishment.
  • Play doctor with a teddy at home, and bring a favourite toy or blanket.
  • Be honest: a vaccine can feel like a quick pinch or sting that won't hurt for long. Never use shots as a threat, and don't say it won't hurt at all.
  • Hold your child on your lap, sing or talk softly, and give lots of cuddles and praise afterwards. It's okay if they cry.
  • The spot can be sore and red for 2 or 3 days. Contact your doctor if anything worries you. Follow your own doctor's or health visitor's schedule.

Sources

This song and these notes are general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

Questions parents ask

Where can I listen to Ba-Dum Check-Up?

Press play on the 30-second sample at the top of this page. The full song and video will be on YouTube and the music apps once they are published, and the listening buttons on this page will then link to them.

What happens at a toddler's check-up?

Usually measuring height (or length), weight and, until age 2, head size; listening to the heart and lungs; looking in the ears, eyes and mouth; feeling the tummy; tapping the knees; and time for your questions. Sometimes there are vaccines too.

Does the song say vaccines don't hurt?

No. It says honestly that sometimes there is a quick pinch, that it's okay to cry, and that a plaster and a cuddle come after. Health services advise being honest and never using shots as a threat.

Music and vocals made with AI. Lyrics, moves and animation by our team, with AI tools. Words and moves are original to Dragon Kids Land.

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