Reciting rhymes is an important part of your child’s introduction to a language. The more rhymes are said in families, the quicker the simple everyday language of these rhymes becomes part of your child’s speech. Building up a personal collection of rhymes is important, as the more rhymes children know, the more rhymes they want to know. Saying rhymes is fun!
Spend some time reciting one or two rhymes in a free moment such as while waiting in a supermarket queue or on a journey. You will need to start these sessions off, but you will find that your child will quickly add his/her own suggestions.
Planned rhyme times at home should include:
- old favourites;
- recently learned rhymes;
- the latest new rhyme.
It is a good idea to start with one or two favourites, as this will help your child to switch from thinking in his/her mother tongue and get used to listening to and using English. The number of times a favourite rhyme is repeated will depend on the mood of your child. The second repetition should include more sharing and the third, if the mood is right, should give him/her an opportunity to say the rhyme, or part of it, alone.
Family gatherings are a good opportunity to encourage your child to exhibit his/her rhyming skills. You could plan a rhyme show in which your child and other children in the family recite rhymes. Children like opportunities to show their skills and the praise received does much to motivate them. The preparation for the show is important as it gives children a valid reason to keep practising and revising their pronunciation and performance.
Choral speaking can be fun too, so if your child is shy, he/she can be a member of the “chorus”, which should include you, until he/she has the courage to perform alone. Record rhyming sessions. These will capture priceless memories of your child’s childhood.
Sing a Song of Sixpence!
