Nursery rhymes are perfect for babies and toddlers. They are short and simple to recite or sing. They include words that begin and end with the same sounds, helping children’s brains to recognize syllables and hear similarities in patterns. Familiarity with nursery rhymes can lead to phonological awareness. The repetition in nursery rhymes helps increase a child’s vocabulary. Research shows that children who enter kindergarten knowing nursery rhymes will have an easier time learning how to read.
Mother Goose on the Loose® is based on nursery rhymes that are presented in a variety of different ways. Below are links to different rhymes presented by many people in a wide range of styles. If they do not open simply by clicking on the link, try pressing the Control Key and clicking at the same time!
Rhyme of the Month
A-D E-H I–L M-P Q-T U V W X Y Z
U
Up and Up the Candlestick, (tickle rhyme) British Columbia Public Libraries
W
We Ring Our Bells Together (Bells) from Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
We Ring Our Bells Together, Birds are happy
Wee Willie Winkie (Puppets)from the Scottsdale Public Library, Arizona
We’re Going to Kentucky (Shakers) from Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
What Are You Wearing? (Interactive Song) from the King County Library System, Washington State
Where is Thumbkin? (Body Rhymes – Fingers) Webster Public Library, Webster, New York
Where is Thumbkin? (Body Rhymes – Fingers) Skokie Public Library, Skokie, Illinois
Wind, oh Wind (Colored Scarves) from Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
Wind the Bobbin Up, British Columbia Public Libraries
Worms Up, Worms Down from British Columbia
Z
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (Standing Up Rhyme) from the Toronto Public Library, Ontario
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, (using a paper airplane!) British Columbia Public Libraries
Click here for more songs and rhymes from the King County Library System
Click here for more fingerplays from the Hennepin County Library
Click here for more fingerplays from the Johnson County Library
Click here for more songs and rhymes from the Scottsdale Public Library
Click here for more songs and rhymes from the San Bernadino County Library