Believe it or not, nursery rhymes are incredibly powerful influencers on development. Phonemic skill development gained from nursery rhymes has even been scientifically shown to significantly improve reading, spelling and other literacy skills (Harper, 2011)
Cognitive Development
- Repetition of rhymes and stories is good for the brain, teaching how language works and building memory capabilities.
- Nursery rhymes help develop inferencing skills, both with encountering new words and in reading comprehension.
- Because these verses are made up of patterns, they are easy first memorization pieces.
Speech
- Nursery rhymes are important for language acquisition and help with speech development.
- They help children develop auditory skills such as discriminating between sounds and developing the ear for the music of words.
- Rhymes like these help kids articulate words, modulate voices (practicing pitch, volume, and inflection) and enunciate clearly by saying them over and over without fear of criticism.
- Nursery rhymes are excellent, natural choice for a first recitation selection.
- The mouth and tongue muscles are developed as children say these rhymes.
- Listening comprehension is a foundational skill that is often skipped, but nursery rhymes can help ensure this crucial ability (that precedes reading comprehension) is covered.
Reading
- Nursery rhyme knowledge provides an excellent foundation for later literary works.
- They are a great introduction to stories since many contain a beginning, middle, and end (sequencing).
- Familiarity with nursery rhymes makes good readers, even despite differences in social background (Bryant, Bradley, Maclean & Crossland, 1989).
- Work with these verses helps children detect the phonetic segments of words.
Language
- Nursery rhymes increase vocabulary (like the word “fetch” in Jack & Jill).
- They help children assimilate language.
- They are a wonderful introduction to poetry.
- They promote spelling skills.
- Verses like these introduce literary devices like alliteration, onomatopoeia, and imagery.
Creativity
- Nursery rhymes expand children’s imagination.
- They promote creative dramatization when kids act the scenarios out.
History
- These classic verses preserve culture and provide something in common between multiple generations (a good way to bond with grandparents or when meeting new people!)
- Nursery rhymes teach history and connect a child to the past.
Math
- Nursery rhymes are full of patterns, sequencing, numbers, and counting (forwards and backward).
- They also discuss size, weight and other important math vocabularies.
Physical
- Since many nursery rhymes involve movement, coordination and physicality are integrated with them.
- Coordinating fingerplays are helpful to fine motor skill development.
Social and Emotional
- Nursery rhymes develop humor.
- Because of the connection between movement, rhythm, and words, singing these songs can be a great group activity.
- Children can learn social skills from many of the rhymes.
- Nursery rhymes are familiar and can thus provide comfort and support to youngsters in uncomfortable situations.