RHYMES FOR FUN
 
     
Materials Purpose Process
 
 
 
 
 
MATERIALS
 
 
Several short rhymes. (Some are included here).
 
 
 
PURPOSE
 
     
Saying rhymes has been and always will be a favorite pastime for all children. In this activity the child will listen to you say the rhyme then repeat it. The intention here is not only to have the child listen to the rhyme itself but also to the proper pronunciation of the words. This activity will assist the child in reading and spelling.
 
 
     
PROCESS
 
1. From a book of children's rhymes select several that you think your child would enjoy.

Here are a few suggestions for rhymes:
 
  Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye;
Four and twenty blackbirds
baked in a pie.		  
     
   
     
     
  Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,
eating a Christmas pie.
He stuck in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I."		  
     
   
     
     
  Great A, little a,
Bouncing B!
The cat's in the cupboard,
And can't see me.		  
     
   
     
     
 

Other suggestions: Humpty Dumpty; Old King Cole; The Queen of Hearts; Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat; There was an old woman who lived in a shoe; Peas Pudding Hot; Jack and Jill; Little Bo-Peep; I had a little pony; There was a crooked man; To market, to market; Rockabye, baby; Hey! diddle diddle.

  
     
2. There are several ways to have the child listen to the rhyme. Here are two suggestions:
  • If you use a Nursery Rhyme book, have the child sit beside you or on your lap so that the child can see the pictures and words. Read the nursery rhyme slowly so that all the syllables are heard and read the whole rhyme. Repeat by reading one line at a time having the child repeat the words after you. Make sure the child says all the syllables. It is saying the syllables that gives the rhyme its beat or rhythm.
  • If you are simply saying the rhyme to the child have them sit across from you so that they can see your mouth and you see the child's mouth. Have your child repeat after you. Make sure the child says or enunciates properly.

3. Rhymes for children have their own magic. It shouldn't be long before they are reciting them and wanting more.

4. Some rhymes can fit very well with catching ball, skipping, etc.

5. As the rhyme is said, have the child beat out the rhythm.

6. If the rhyme lends itself for this to be done, let the child replace his/her own words for the words in the rhyme. This is a time for laughter. Here is an example:
 
 

Sing a song of monkeys
A pocket full of nuts
Four and twenty chocolates
Baked in a pot.

  
     
     
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Because this is a listening activity, with speech thrown in, it is advisable to check every now and again to see if the words are being said properly. There is a tendency for children when they become familiar with the rhyme, to start running words together. Keep an ear and remind them.