Nursery Rhymes: Why We Need Them and Why We Read Them

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     Nursery rhymes originated as part of a long oral tradition of storytelling and remain an ever-present part of children’s literature today. Though nursery rhymes vary, most are noted for their use of rhyme and rhythm, which makes them easy to remember and so continue to be passed from one generation to the next. Experts agree that hearing nursery rhymes aids in language acquisition and also with speech development. Nursery rhymes also help children to develop auditory skills, discriminating between the different sounds and patterns as well as developing an ear for the music of words. Hearing, reading and singing nursery rhymes inspires natural learning as children sing along and learn the rhymes, committing them to memory.

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Introducing the repetition and rhythm of nursery rhymes can aid in:

• Developing language and literacy skills as nursery rhymes are often a child’s first experience with words and song.
• Developing communication skills by learning new vocabulary.
• Developing motor skills through movements that can accompany the rhyme.
• Developing cognitive skills improving memory and concentration.
• Developing an awareness of music and rhythm.
• Developing a bond because they are just plain fun!

     There is no need to “teach” or “instruct” but rather allow the natural learning process to unfold. For example, I recently gave my three-year-old daughter a felt cookie jar filled with felt cookies. My mother and I were busy on our computers one day when my daughter took them out to play and I just started chanting “Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?” She quickly caught on and it became a spontaneous moment of fun between my daughter, myself and my mother. Later I chanted it with her again adding the hand gestures and now every time she gets that cookie jar out, she starts the chant and hand gestures, which she has committed to memory. I did not “teach” her and I did not stop and show her each movement, I just did it and she watched and followed and naturally picked it up.

     For those of you who don’t know the rhyme I’m referring to, this is the version I learned as a child:

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?
(Child's name) stole the cookies from the cookie jar.
Who me?
Yes you!
Couldn’t be!
Then who?
(repeat with name of next person)

     I also want to note that there may be several versions of a rhyme and no one is correct. Whichever one you learned and wish to pass on to your child is the correct one for you. If you are feeling nursery rhyme challenged, we recommend the book Humpty Who? by Jennifer Griffin. It is billed as “a crash course in 80 nursery rhymes for clueless moms and dads” complete with a sing-along CD.

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     We also recommend considering the following books to share with your youngster:

Usborne Fold-Out Books: Nursery Rhymes

My First Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright

Usborne Musical Nursery Rhymes

The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright

Usborne Very FIrst: Nursry Rhymes

Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose

Read with Usborne: Old MacDonald Had a Farm

My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie

For even more recommendations take a look at our Nursery Rhymes & Poetry book list.

     So, embrace the rhymes of Mother Goose to share with your little one but remember to keep it organic and fun and resist making it academic. Your little one will naturally come to know these rhymes and their rhythms and the benefits will be numerous with the rhymes staying with them for a lifetime waiting to be shared with yet another generation.

Happy rhyming!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest editions, a daughter for Kate (now 3) and a son for Amanda (now 1.) We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.