Why Nursery Rhymes Matter: 7 Benefits for Babies and Toddlers

1. They build vocabulary

Rhymes introduce words children might not hear in everyday conversation: tuffet, pail, fetch. Because the rhyme is repeated many times, those words get plenty of practice.

2. They tune children in to sounds

Rhyming words (wall/fall, star/are) help children notice that words are made of smaller sounds. This awareness of sounds, called phonological awareness, is an important foundation for learning to read.

3. They exercise memory

Predictable patterns make rhymes easy to remember. Children love filling in the last word of a line, and that's memory practice in disguise.

4. They build rhythm and listening

Clapping, bouncing and tapping along to a steady beat helps children feel the rhythm of language. Try clapping the syllables in Humpty Dumpty.

5. Action rhymes build movement skills

Songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and Itsy Bitsy Spider combine words with movements, which helps coordination, body awareness and fine motor skills.

6. Counting rhymes introduce numbers

Five Little Monkeys counts down, and Hickory Dickory Dock introduces time. Rhymes like these give children a playful first taste of maths.

7. They bring you closer

Singing to a baby, even off-key, is a warm, shared moment. Familiar rhymes can also be soothing during nappy changes, car trips and bedtime.

How to get the most from rhymes

• Sing the same few rhymes often. Repetition is the point.
• Slow down and exaggerate the rhyming words.
• Pause and let your child fill in the gap.
• Add actions, finger puppets or toys.
• Change the words for fun once your child knows the original ("Humpty Dumpty sat on a chair").

Browse our nursery rhyme lyrics to refresh your memory, or sing along with our nursery rhyme videos.

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