Rhymers Are Readers

Nursery Rhymes are not just for fun! They have enormous educational value. Research shows listening comprehension precedes reading comprehension. In order for a child to understand what they are reading, they have to be able to hear the language first. This week we focus on the importance in rhymes and early reading skills.
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Language Development

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When children hear nursery rhymes, they hear the sounds vowels and consonants make. They learn how to put these sounds together to make words. They also practice pitch, volume, and voice In nursery rhymes, children hear new words that they would not hear in everyday language. Nursery rhymes are short and easy to repeat, so they become some of a child's first sentences.

Cognitive Development

Since nursery rhymes are patterns, they help children learn easy recall and memorization. Nursery rhymes

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usually tell a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. This teaches children that events happen in sequence, and they begin to learn how to understand stories and follow along. Nursery rhymes use patterns and sequence, so children begin to learn simple math skills as they recite them. Many rhymes also use numbers, counting, and other math words that children need to learn, such as size and weight.

Physical Development

Children develop their mouth and tongue muscles by using the different sounds in the rhyme. Rhymes that

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involve movement help with coordination. In dramatic play, children use their whole bodies to act out the nursery rhymes they hear. 

Social/Emotional Development

Sharing nursery rhymes provides a safe and secure bond between parents and children. Positive physical touch between a parent and a child or between children, for example, during clapping rhymes, is important for

social development. Funny nursery rhymes allow children to develop a sense of humor. Nursery rhyme characters experience many different emotions. This can help children identify their own emotions and understand the real emotions of others. When children act out the nursery rhyme stories they hear, they learn to imagine, be creative, and express themselves.