Nursery rhyme week...

It's nursery rhyme week here at Mucky Pups.
We LOVE to sing songs and rhymes at Mucky Pups and during the day you will alsways find someone singing a rhyme or song somwehere in the setting. It can be inside outside, on your own or with a group. We don't mind where we just know we LOVE them and they teach us so much..

Every year we sign up to become involved with National Nursery Rhyme week to help raise awareness of why we teach rhymes to our children and to learn some the traditional rhymes we know and love so much from our own childhood If you're interested in finding out more then have a look at the website here.

Why teach Nursery Rhymes?

You may have seen our facebook post here that reminded us all that children who know EIGHT or MORE rhymes by the time they are four are usually the children who are the ones who do best at reading and spelling in their class by the age of 8! .Not only will you give them a head start with their literacy, language and communication development but you’ll be giving their fine and gross motor skills a workout too – all through activities that are fun for everyone, filling a very special place in your little one’s heart. 

So if that isn't reason enough to sing at every opportunity you can I don't know what is but here are 10 more reasons why...
1. Nursery rhymes are easy to repeat so become part of your child’s first sentences.
When we sing or say nursery rhymes we tend to speak more slowly and clearly so children learn how the words are formed. This is great, because it makes it easier little ones to join in.
2. Nursery rhymes help children practice pitch, volume and the rhythm of language.
Music and rhymes help little ones learn a steady beat which helps with language and reading development. Joining in with clapping and actions, like baby signing, can help this development.
3. Nursery rhymes are a great way to develop early phonic skills.
Through hearing and repeating nursery rhymes children have the opportunity to hear, identify and manipulate letter sounds.
4. Nursery rhymes expand children’s imagination.
Nursery Rhymes often tell a story and create imagery. Children can imagine a world where vinegar and brown paper are a remedy for a head injury! 
5. Nursery rhymes follow a clear sequence of events.
They often tell a story and contain a beginning, middle, and end.
“Exposure to music accelerates the brain development of young children in the areas responsible for language development, sound, reading skill and speech perception”
Brain and Creativity Institute
6. Nursery rhymes teach early maths skills.
Many contain numbers, counting, colours, and other maths vocabulary such as weight and size.
7. Nursery rhymes improve vocabulary.
Children hear and use new words that they wouldn’t come across in everyday language, for example, in Jack and Jill they ‘fetch’ a ‘pail’ of water.
8. Nursery rhymes provide examples of literacy devices.
They use alliteration such as ‘Goosey, Goosey Gander’, onomatopoeia in ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’, and rhyme.
9. Nursery rhymes teach emotions.
The characters in the rhymes experience a range of emotions, which can help little ones to understand and identify their own emotions and those of others.
10. Nursery rhymes are fun! And transportable!
Nursery rhymes are great way to spend time with your little one and they don’t require any equipment. 
Little ones love the sound of your voice over any other (they’re not bothered if you’re not a great singer).
Often nursery rhymes are funny – some make little sense, others have unexpected endings.  And if you forget the words or are feeling creative you can make up some of your own versions!

We also use signs and gestures to help children preduict what is coming next, to join in even if they can't speak yet or if English is their second language. Some of your children may be able to teach you the signs we use but if not have a look at "The Singing Hnads" youtube channel below to learn alongside your child.
​

Have a look at our news and evnets page and facebook for more about our learning in Mucky Pups during this week.
​

News & Events

Facebook