Last week was World Nursery Rhyme Week and, whilst nursery rhymes are, of course, a fundamental aspect of our continuous provision, we have been bringing extra focus to celebrating the array of benefits they bring. Engagement in nursery rhymes promotes children’s learning and development, including, but not limited to; supporting vocabulary and language development, aiding in the development of literacy skills, as well as helping children develop socially, emotionally and physically. The approach to singing the rhymes, and which rhymes the children choose, alters the impact they have. For example; action songs aid in the development of proprioception, an internal sense which allows the body to perceive movement, action and location. Contrary to this, number rhymes promote the development of subitising skills and understanding of number. As part of our celebrations last week, we introduced some new nursery rhymes as well as some new resources.

“If a child knows eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they are 4 years old, they are usually among the best readers and spellers in their class by the time they are 8.”

– Mem Fox