Nursery rhymes

(Toddlers)

Learn a range of well-known nursery rhymes.Start with one or two and then add to your list as you become more familiar.

For ideas, there are lots of nursery rhymes and songs on the BBC website. 

You will need:

  • a small bag
  • objects from around the house

Choose objects that you can use to act out the nursery rhyme, for example a toy sheep or cotton wool for Baa Baa Black Sheep. If you don't have the objects, you can draw them.

What to do

  1. Start with simple nursery rhymes such as ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ or ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’.
  2. Make the teaching more fun-filled and entertaining by using actions and facial expression while singing. Vary your voice according to the rhymes to attract them.
  3. Once your child becomes more familiar with the nursery rhymes, encourage them to sing along. This will help them to memorise the rhymes and to recite them on their own.

Playing 'What’s in my bag?

Your toddler will love to play this simple game. Choose a small selection of your favourite nursery rhymes. Find an object to signify each rhyme, for example:

  • a star (from your Christmas ornaments) for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
  • or a doll for Miss Polly Had a Dolly.

If you run out of ideas you can always draw or print a picture to put in the bag.

  1. Start the game by saying ‘I wonder what is in my bag?’
  2. Reach around and pull out the object.
  3. Sing the corresponding rhyme with your child using the actions, then replace in the bag and play again.

Soon enough your child will be able to guess the correct song, and choose their own object.

Skills your child will learn:

Nursery rhymes use patterns in language and speech, and by recognising patterns in language, children can also recognise patterns in numbers, which helps with mathematical problem solving.

Action songs and nursery rhymes will also help your child to develop the following skills:

  • vocabulary – your child will also remember the new words more easily if you put actions to words
  • moving or singing in a rhythm
  • fine motor skills (small muscles in hands) and gross motor skills (large muscles)
  • coordination
  • skills needed to follow simple instructions