Recommended Rhymes:

Some researchers believe children who are able to recite 4-6 nursery rhymes prior to entering school are stronger readers by third grade. We have listed several traditional rhymes below. We encourage you to have fun and be silly as you sing, chant and dramatize these rhymes with your child.

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses, and all the king's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again.

Hey! Diddle, Diddle

Hey! diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed to see such a sight, and the dish ran away with the spoon.

Little Miss Muffet

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey.
Along came a spider, who sat down beside her, and frightened Miss Muffet away.

Jack Be Nimble

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick; Jack jump over the candlestick.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout,
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
Then the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again!

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-eater

Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater had a wife but couldn't keep her;
He put her in a pumpkin shell and there he kept her very well.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star how I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star how I wonder what you are!

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped her head.
Mamma called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
(repeat, subracting a monkey each time. Say the rhyme using fingers or act it out)

One, Two Buckle My Shoe

One, two buckle my shoe;
Three, four, shut the door;
Five, six, pick up sticks;
Seven, eight, lay them straight;
Nine, ten, let's count again!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, jump so high. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the sky.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, walk along. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, sing a song.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, tie your shoe. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, I love you.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn off the light. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say "Goodnight!"