About a year ago, I learned that most modern caregivers do not recite classic rhymes to their children. My heart was broken. Nursery Rhymes are wonderful for many, many reasons. Here are three of them:
1. Children Love Them!
The rhythms are fun and soothing.
2. It introduces language.
And enhances vocabulary for older children.
3. They're Music!
We all know music is an essential part of our world.
Keep in mind, there are thousands of Nursery Rhymes - and they come in many varieties. See if one of these examples sparks a memory in you.
Some are just gibberish:
Hey, diddle, diddle!
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Some are meant to be a game:
Pat-a-cake,
Pat-a-cake,
Baker's man.
Bake me a cake
As fast as you can.
Roll it, and prick it,
And mark it with a "B."
Put it in the oven
For baby and me.
Some tell a story:
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
And some are all about comfort and closeness:
Rock-a-bye, baby, on the tree top;
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock;
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall;
Down will come baby, cradle and all.
Sharing language with your child is an important part of literacy. Singing, or saying, Nursery Rhymes is an easy way to work early learning into your day. It's simple...
Waiting for a table in a restaurant? Do the Ipsy Wipsy Spider.
Buckling up the straps of the car seat? Count: One, Two; Buckle My Shoe.
Mixing eggs for breakfast? Talk about Humpty Dumpty.
Think about your favorite Nursery Rhyme from your childhood. Post it in the comment section, then go share it with your child!
Feel like you need to build up your mental stock of classic rhymes? Stop back to get reviews on Mother Goose books later this week.
I'm looking forward to your Mother Goose book reviews! I was just discussing how I don't remember the words to most nursery rhymes anymore but wish I did because I sing often to my little one. The one I use most is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and even though it's not a nursery rhyme, "You Are My Sunshine". Will have to do more nursery rhyme research! :-) Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteThank you tracythewriter! I'm glad that your sing to your little one, and so is he! Look for my review on the Mother Goose Books...they'll be up tomorrow! I hope you find one that works for you!
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