Gold Stars Lesson 11

Does your child have a favorite nursery rhyme or chant from class? According to one study, repeating and memorizing these simple rhymes has great value:

“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.” [Fox, M. (2001). Reading Magic.]

So, keep chanting!

Nursery rhymes play a part in most preschool curricula, and for a good reason! Their benefits are numerous and include:

• building memory capabilities

• introducing sequencing of events

• promoting language acquisition and speech development

• increasing vocabulary

• introducing rhyming and literary devices (such as alliteration and onomatopoeia)

• promoting creativity and imagination

All of this learning is hidden inside a short little rhyme your child will want to learn just because it’s fun!

Optional Home Fun Activity: Make the two little blackbirds puppets on p. 35 of your workbook

(Remember, these activities are optional but can be a great bonding experience to do with your child during the week.)