Using Nursery Rhymes to Teach Language

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Using Nursery Rhymes to Teach Language

Learning nursery rhymes provide children with practice in many

different areas, memory, language concepts, numbers, rhyming

words, and the rhythm of language. Because nursery rhymes are

rhythmic, children seem to catch on quick to the words. We

can use nursery rhymes to teach different language concepts. Here are

a few ideas to get you started…

1. Jack Be Nimble. Change Jack to the Child's name. For

example, " be nimble, be quick. jump over

the candlestick. " Then let her jump over the candle. You can also

add words. " jump over the red candlestick. " or

" jump over two candlesticks. "

2. Little Boy Blue. This is a great one to teach prepositions.

" He's under the haystack fast asleep. " or " He's behind the

haystack fast asleep. " or " on top of " , " in front of " " beside " Have a

picture of Little Boy Blue and the haystack so that when you

recite the words and use a different preposition, the child can put

little boy blue where he belongs. If you are working on

colors, you can recite " Little Boy Red/Yellow/Green " . If you're

working on pronouns, you can recite " Little Girl Blue " , " she's

somewhere around the haystack " .

3. This Little Piggy Went to Market. It's OK to change the words

using different animals and different nouns/verbs. Put

some choices on a board and let the child choose. For example, " This

little sheep went to school, This little sheep stayed

home, This little sheep at cake and ice cream, This little sheep had

none, This little sheep cried/laughed/yelled 'baa-baa- baa' all

the way home.

4. If you're working on numbers, 1,2 Buckle/Tie My Shoe and

1,2,3,4,5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive, are wonderful. Have

the numbers and point to them as you say them.

5. Polly Put the Kettle On. Ask the child what his/her favorite

food is, then

change the name, cooking utensil, and food. For example, " Lenora put

the pan on, Lenora put the pan on, Lenora put the pan

on and we'll all have pizza. You can also change the food item name

in Peas porridge hot.

For words to all of these nursery rhymes and more visit

www.zelo.com/family/nursery

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