Teaching rhymes to young children can be a fun and rewarding experience. It helps to introduce children to language and can help them in their development of early literacy skills. This in turn builds children’s confidence and encourages them to interact with others in a creative way. It is also a tool used to teach children about different concepts and ideas, as well as to help them build their vocabulary. Rhymes help children develop their memory skills, as they have to remember the words and the order of the rhyme.
Teaching rhymes to children can be an extremely satisfying experience, but it is important to remember that each child is different and may need different approaches in order to learn effectively. With this in mind, we will discuss some tips on how to teach rhymes to young children and their importance.
Why Are Nursery Rhymes Important For Kids?
Building Language Skills
Nursery rhymes help to build language skills and help with early literacy. It helps to develop phonological awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of language. This includes being able to recognize rhymes and identify syllables. Nursery rhymes also help to build vocabulary. By hearing a variety of words, children are able to learn more words and use them in their own speaking and writing.
Practising Voice Modulations
Voice modulation makes nursery rhymes come alive as it helps in bringing out the emotions of the song. It helps children to understand the meaning behind the words and encourages them to express it through their own voices. It also helps in improving their vocal pitch and range which helps them to develop better speaking skills.
By practising voice modulation, while reciting nursery rhymes, children can gain confidence in their own voice and develop the ability to express themselves better.
Spelling
When children are taught to spell correctly, they are also able to recognize the rhyming patterns in nursery rhymes. This helps them to understand the structure of the rhymes and to recognize the rhythm of the words. By teaching them to recognize the rhyming patterns, they are also able to recognize and understand the meaning of the words.
Understanding Different Words & Their Meanings
Nursery rhymes are important for young children as they not only help develop language skills but also provide a fun and engaging way to learn. Understanding words is key to developing these skills. Rhymes use repetition of words to help children learn vocabulary, build their understanding of language, and identify rhymes and sounds. They also help children learn to match words with their meanings, which is a key step in developing reading skills.
Imagination Development
Nursery rhymes provide a great opportunity for children to learn and develop their imagination. They encourage children to use their imaginations to think of the characters, creatures and stories that come with the rhymes. This helps to promote creative thinking and encourages children to explore the world around them. Through nursery rhymes, children can learn to create their own stories and explore their own ideas.
Motor Skills
As children engage in activities like clapping and stomping in time with the music, their gross motor skills improve. These activities also help to improve their fine motor skills as they use their hands to gesture along with the words. Through these activities, children learn how to control their body movements, which is an essential skill for general coordination.
How To Teach Nursery Rhymes To Preschoolers?
Sing to them as well as with them :
The first key to teaching a nursery rhyme is to sing it to them when they are young and you are getting them to sleep or changing their diapers. When they are older, singing along with them is a fun and engaging way to introduce children to the basics of music and language.
Use funny voices:
Say the rhyme once or several times, but use a different voice each time. It is best to use funny voices that keep their interest in learning.
Tap the rhythm:
Tap the rhythm as the child chants the rhyme. You can tap the rhythm using rhythm sticks, clap or pat your legs to the rhythm. Feeling a steady beat while repeating the words will help in memorization.
Be patient:
Memorising anything requires patience. The child may mix up the words, sing the wrong tune, or even get creative and sing the wrong rhyme on purpose; this is perfectly okay, and you must remain patient.
If you are looking for a child care service to help you with a much-needed break from the day-to-day routine of caring for young children, opt for a stimulating daycare environment which helps children to explore and grow with a wide range of educational activities that play an important role in their cognitive development.
Tips To Help Kids Master Rhymes
- Recite Rhymes Frequently – Repetition is the key to teaching rhymes to the child.
Make the recitation of the rhymes part of the kid’s regular learning and it will help them learn the rhymes. - Play Nursery Rhymes On A Music Player- Play some nursery rhymes on a music player while the child is playing around in the house. Repeated listening to a played rhyme and rhythm will motivate the child to recite the rhyme on his own.
- Read Out Rhyming Picture Books- Picture books are a great attraction for children. So, read such rhyming books over and over again. Soon, the child will learn words that rhyme with one another and recite simple rhymes.
- Use Toys and Play- You can employ the use of many useful instruments such as building blocks, puzzles, mazes, booklets, etc., that can be used as learning material.
- Ask questions that motivate them to recall- After you teach about a certain nursery rhyme, ask questions about it the next day before starting the next rhyme.
Making It Entertaining
Teaching rhymes to young children is a great way to introduce them to the world of reading and language. It helps them to expand their vocabulary, understand the structure of language, and connect words to their meaning. By using fun activities like finger play, action rhymes, and rhymes that have a story, you can make the learning process enjoyable and entertaining. With patience and practice, your child will be able to recite rhymes with confidence and poise. As they get older, they can even start to create their own rhymes and stories. Teaching rhymes to your child will help introduce them to the wonderful world of literature and language.
If you are still not able to calm a fussy child after a day full of fun, activities and rhymes, check out the 5 S’s which are a simple and effective way to help soothe babies.
References
https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.com/teach-rhyming/
https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Nursery-Rhymes-to-Kids
https://www.kidsacademy.mobi/storytime/how-to-teach-rhyming-words/
https://www.twinkl.co.in/blog/how-can-i-teach-rhyme
https://www.indiaparenting.com/how-to-teach-nursery-rhyme-to-your-child.html