Research shows that children who know 8 nursery rhymes by heart at age 4, are likely to be more confident at spelling and reading by age 8!
Singing nursery rhymes is a is a lovely activity to help bond with your baby, and later on, a great way of building your child’s vocabulary.
A ‘rhyme time sack’ can be made cheaply and easily and is a bag full of items that relate to nursery rhymes. By adding actions and props while you are singing, it makes the activity more fun and interactive!
Top tips:
- Gather your items: collect toys, objects and musical instruments found around the house
- Store your items: use a bag, box or basket to keep them altogether – drawstring bags work particularly well, as they can be pulled closed at the end of the rhyme session and can double up as a ‘feely bag’ for young babies
- Use items that connect to each nursery rhyme: for example, a teddy for ‘Round and Round the Garden’, a star for ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ or a boat for ‘Row Row Row your Boat’
- Once your child is familiar with several rhymes: gradually introduce some new objects and learn some new rhymes (if your child attends a childcare setting, you can speak to them to find out which songs they sing so you can sing them at home)
