Nursery Rhymes: Idea #106

Did you know that having your student memorize nursery rhymes actually helps them read better? Did you know that "experts in literacy and child development have discovered that if children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re 4 years old, they’re usually among the best readers by the time they’re 8." (quote found on the following website: http://writingtosanity.com/nursery-rhymes-help/).

Nursery rhymes are fun and easy for kids to learn. They are easy to memorize because they have a predictable outcome, good consistent rhythm, and of course they rhyme. Kids love the stories and especially the characters. It stretches their imagination. Some of them are quite clever and funny. 

Nursery rhymes can expand your child's vocabulary because they learn new words like: tuffet, curds and whey. It's also a great way to introduce poetry to your child early. Nursery rhymes have been made into songs as well, making them even easier to learn. Check out Dr. Jean's nursery rhymes cd here: http://www.quill.com/dr-jean-feldman-cds/cbs/220339.html?cm_mmc=SEM_PLA_220339.

Here are a some of my favorite nursery rhymes: 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush', 'Hey Diddle Diddle', 'Hickory Dickory Dock', 'Hot Cross Buns', 'Humpty Dumpty', 'Jack and Jill', 'Little Bo Peep', 'Little Miss Muffet', 'Little Boy Blue', 'Mary Had a Little Lamb', 'Old Mother Hubbard', and many more. You can find a list of them on wikipedia.com.

Check out this website for more information on nursery rhymes and why they are so beneficial for your student to learn: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education-news/2011/10/11/how-nursery-rhymes-can-help-children-learn-91466-29571675/. 

If you want to check out some great nursery rhyme videos, go to youtube and type in: Nursery Rhymes 1983. This could also be a great way for your child to learn them.

They will have more fun learning these rhymes than you may think!