Popular Nursery Rhymes
We have both interacted with many toddlers over the years. We’ve sung different popular nursery rhymes with young children in Britain, the USA and Kuwait. There are hundreds of free nursery rhymes to choose from! We often ask the children what they would like to sing and we have noticed a trend.
In our experience there are three popular rhymes which are definitely firm favourites among 1 to 5 year olds.
I bet you would love to know which ones they are?
OK, drum roll please……
The top three most popular nursery rhymes are……
- Baa Baa Black Sheep,
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Just in case you are unfamiliar with them, we have provided you here with these popular nursery rhyme lyrics as well as videos for you to learn the tune.
“Baa Baa Black Sheep”
Baa Baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir three bags full.
One for the master and one for the dame,
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.
Thank said the master, thank you said the dame
And thank you said the little boy who lives down the lane.
Actions: Hold up a finger each for the master, dame and boy and clap while singing the ‘thank you’ bit.
When you first start singing rhymes you will find that your toddler will just listen to you. To help your one-year-old join in, just do the actions. Your two-year-old though, will surely be joining in with the words as well.
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a dimond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Actions: Open and close your hands throughout most of this popular nursery rhyme. Point upwards on the second line, and make a diamond shape with your index fingers and thumbs while singing the next one.
“Row Row Row Your Boat”
Row row row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Actions: Sit with your toddler facing you, hold their hands and rock back and forth.
These popular nursery rhymes are all similar aren’t they? Short, simple, a steady rhythm and repetition. Talking of repetition – you will no doubt be asked to sing these nursery rhymes again and again! I know we are.
Nursery rhymes are an excellent activity to encourage late talkers. Most children love to join in with an adult, and singing a well known and loved song is an easy way to start verbalising.
It is a really good feeling when your one-year-old starts doing the actions as a way of asking you to sing the song. It just shows that she is learning and communicating with you.
Next you can find more nursery rhyme lyrics here
Also, try out some action rhymes
Rhymes are wonderful free toddler activities. They can be done whenever you like and wherever you are!
Do you forget nursery rhymes when you need them the most?
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