Nursery rhymes are fun, especially nonsense nursery rhymes like Hey Diddle, Diddle.
Benefits of Nursery Rhymes
But nursery rhymes are not just fun. They are often a child’s first introduction to our literary heritage and have many benefits for young children.
- They help children learn the sounds and rhythms of the language.
- They are short and easy to remember so help to develop memory.
- They introduce children to rhyme and alliteration and help to develop phonemic awareness which is important to the development of skills in reading and writing.
- They encourage a joy in language and inspire a playfulness that contributes to further language learning.
Australian author Mem Fox is often quoted as saying that
“Experts in literacy and child development have discovered that if children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re four years old, they’re usually among the best readers by the time they’re eight.”
We know that success with literacy learning often correlates with success later in life. Most early childhood teachers agree that children who have been spoken to, sung to (including nursery rhymes) and read to before school find literacy learning much easier in our classrooms. However, the value of nursery rhymes doesn’t end when children begin school. They can be the focus of learning throughout school.
World Nursery Rhyme Week
If you are not already aware of it, you may wish to check out World Nursery Rhyme Week that begins next week on 16 November and continues until 20 November. The purpose of World Nursery Rhyme Week is to promote the importance of nursery rhymes in early education. Follow the link to find lots of free resources to join in the worldwide celebration of nursery rhymes.
Learning with Hey Diddle, Diddle
Let’s begin with ten lesson ideas based upon the nonsense nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle. I’m sure you are familiar with the rhyme.
Continue reading: The Cow Jumped Over the Moon — Really? – readilearn
Norah Colvin 
This is absolutely wonderful, Norah! Mem Fox’s statement is powerful. Never underestimate the importance of nursery rhymes.
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Thank you, Jennie. Nursery rhymes have so many benefits, don’t they?
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Yes! YES!!
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Great post, Norah. I love using rhyming verses in my ESL teaching – the students love the smoothness and the lilt! And it’s a fabulously fun way for them to practise their pronunciation! Thank you for your terrific post.
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Thank you for your wonderful comment, Robin. I’m so pleased your adult students enjoy the nursery rhymes too.
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I used to teach children’s lit to college students (future teachers). I loved to begin the poetry unit with nursery rhymes. Many of my students had not been exposed to them as children.
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What a great introduction to a kidlit course. We can learn so much from nursery rhymes. Thanks for sharing, Luanne.
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I’d make up a rhyme
if only i had time
just to keep folks amused
better than being confused!
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😅😂🤣 You’re the poet. I’m sure you know it!
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thanks for the compliment Norah, much appreciated!
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It’s true.
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What fascinating information about kids learning to recite 8 nursery rhymes before they are 4 years old, they are the best readers. I remember teaching my siblings nursery rhymes — I loved them — and I taught them to my daughter, while my niece was taught to sing popular music — which didn’t feel age appropriate. Great post!
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Thanks, Patricia. I think the nursery rhymes probably indicate a literary household in which adults spend time with their children – talking, exchanging ideas and reading. It’s so important.
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Kids love rhythm and rhymes. It only makes sense that they learn well through nursery rhymes.
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That’s for sure, Pete. Thank you.
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This is one of my favorite nursery rhyme, Norah.
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It is a fun one, isn’t it, Miriam?
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Yes, Norah, my daughter memorized many nursery rhymes.
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No wonder she’s so clever. 🙂
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All true, and they’re a fun memory of childhood.
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Thank you, Jacqui.
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