Rhymes
Researchers report children who have memorized six to eight nursery rhymes become good readers. Rhyming is an essential pre-literacy skill because it creates an awareness of ending sounds in words.
Recite rhymes naturally during the day - while your child is dressing, getting ready for bed or riding in the car or stroller. Have fun rhyming by doing finger plays and dramatizations. Point to an item or picture and ask, "What rhymes with_____?" (e.g., book/look, tree/knee, monkey/unckie!) It's okay to make up silly words.
Visit www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/musicchild.htm for words and music of many well-known rhymes. The website is sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Hey! Diddle, Diddle
Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.(2003) p95
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.
Leaves
Little leaves fall gently down; red and yellow, orange and brown. .
Whirling softly without a sound; falling quietly to the ground.
Jack Be Nimble
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick.
(Tip: create a pretend candlestick and substitute your child's name for "Jack" as she jumps over the candlestick)
Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout;
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider crawled up the spout again.
www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/musicchild.htm
Five Little Starfish
Five little starfish on the shore, one crawled away so there were four.
Four little starfish by the sea, one went swimming so there were three.
Three little starfish under the blue, one dug a hole so there were two.
Two little starfish in the sun, one met a mermaid so there was one.
One little starfish why do you roam? Go back now to your starfish home.
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.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
(Repeat, subtracting a monkey each time)
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!"
