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
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Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary (Bells) Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
Michael Finnegan (Body Rhyme)from the San Bernardino County Library
Mother and Father and Uncle John (Knee Bounce) from Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Maryland
Mother and Father and Uncle John (Knee Bounce)from the Scottsdale Public Library, Arizona
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Old Mother Goose (Rhymes and Reads) from the Scottsdale Public Library, Arizona
On the Shores of the Hanky Panky, (Knee Bounce) British Columbia Public Libraries
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (Fingerplay) from the King County Library System, Washington State
One, Two, Three, Four, Five…Fish Alive! (Animal Fingerplay)Port Discovery Children’s Museum, MD
One, Two, Three Four, Max is Sitting by the Door (Counting)Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
Open Them, Shut Them (Fingerplay) from the King County Library System, Washington State
Open Them, Shut Them (Fingerplay) by Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen
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Pat-a-cake (Clapping andTapping) from the King County Library System, Washington State
Pease Porridge Hot (Clapping and Tapping) from the Toronto Public Library, Ontario
Peek-a-Boo (Colored Scarves)from Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
Peek-a-Boo (Colored Scarves)from San Bernadino County Library, California
Popcorn (Whole Body)from the Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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