Why teach nursery rhymes?
Posted on 3 June 2009
Substantial evidence exists which confirms that early age learning of rhythmic songs, chants and poems in addition to nursery rhymes greatly enhances early phonemic awareness and reading skills. Facts that research has brought to fore show that phonemic awareness as being amongst the defining factors for a child's reading success.
The most enduring element that comes with rhymes and poems is that they're fun; they bring out activeness and create an environment for phonemic awareness (phonemic is the ability listen to sounds much like vibrations and then be able to differentiate between each of them in a language) - this is now known by the way of a research showcasing reading success!
The results have been there for all to see, the joy of young children sees upon being introduced to a new poem, they soon start catching and then murmuring the patterns and rhythms they can see within that poem. They are quick to observe the patterns and then follow them.
How to Teach Children to Learn A Nursery Rhyme
There is not a great deal involved in teaching children's nursery rhymes because most nursery rhymes are filled with fantasies which is what children at a young age are most curious about. It lets them create their own imaginary world allowing them to be creative and playful. Since they are curious, engaging them in creative stories like Jack and Jill is the right thing to get their minds working. Almost immediately, they are left mesmerised and want to learn even more nursery rhymes. Nursery rhymes are a fun way to teach children and are an enjoyable pre-reading activity.
Some Steps That Shall Aid You in Imparting Nursery Rhymes Lessons
- Always start with simple ones that are not very lengthy, such as Jack and Jill. and ask the child to repeat each line once you have said it. With the child's familiarity with rhyme increasing, allow the child to say all of what he or she knows.
- Do appreciate the child for whatever little they can remember of the rhyming lines. Even though you might have recited it umpteen times, it will take some time before a child can say the rhymes independently.
- Repeat the words that rhyme is a special manner so that the kids know that you are pointing towards something that needs their attention. Take for example, in "Jack and Jill,' stress on the words "Jill" and "hill". Ask the child to say it the way you say it and hope that he or she will take fondly to the rhyming words.
- In a light manner test the rhyming skills of the child, ask them what other words could rhyme with "Jill" and "hill". This is applicable to any of the classic nursery rhymes. For instance, in "Humpty Dumpty". tell the child to identify the word that rhymes with "wall". Sooner or later, through practice, the child will come up with "fall" or other rhyming words.
- Not do prevent the child from dramatising his or her favourite nursery rhyme as that only goes to show the creative instincts that the child possess. Using dolls or even some of the child's toys takes their enjoyment to a higher level.