Rhyme Base
Researchers first discovered the correlation between rhyming and reading in the 1980s. Since then, study after study has suggested that good rhymers turn out to be good readers. Nursery rhyme books are commonly a child’s first experience with literacy, exposing them to phonetics and word constituents.
For instance, children who recite the phrase “cat in the hat on a mat†can detect that “at†is the word segment, or common denominator. Understanding constituents in this way helps children break new words down into smaller words, a skill called phonemic awareness. Children who do this well are likely to experience reading success down the road.
Reciting nursery rhymes is an excellent bonding activity, whether for a group of children or for parents and children. Memorizing and reciting nursery rhymes encourages self-expression and builds confidence because rhymes are so easy to learn. Further, many nursery rhymes contain humor and various emotions, helping children develop these capacities for themselves.
Studies have shown that children who learn nursery rhymes and songs can reap numerous language, learning and social benefits!
Here are some ways nursery rhymes can benefit brain development and fun ideas to learn them.
Repetition of rhyme and rhythm can help children to…
#1 Develop language and literacy skills
Nursery rhymes are a child’s first experience with words.
#2 Develop communication skills
Helps them learn new vocabulary or numeracy.
#3 Enhances physical development
When actions are linked to words in the nursery rhyme, it helps boost motor skills and improves rhythm and movement.
#4 Helps develop cognitive skills
Improves memory, concentration, spatial intelligence, and thinking skills.
#5 Enhances individual development
Music helps develop kids with better self-control, higher self-esteem and confidence, such as when learning the nursery rhyme through activities with peers
In addition, as the early years of childhood is a period of rapid development, researchers believe that the earlier a child is exposed to music, the more the brain responds to different music tones.
#6 The earlier a child studies music, the more rhythmic integration, movement and learning can strengthen the brain
#7 Music aptitude can be influenced in the early years, and music training (through playing and listening to music) before the age of seven has significant effect on parts of the brain related to planning and motor skills.