Building a child’s vocabulary is not just about exposure. A special effort has to be done by the parent, care giver or teachers. This is the world of transparency and hence communication is vital. One may not be an extrovert but to convey thoughts and messages is fundamental for survival. Economic needs and also social skills have to be met with as one grows up. It is surprising that the baby nursery rhymes which we learnt are now being taught to our own kids. Modern improvisation is definitely seen in many just to keep the children interested and abreast of modern happenings.
Animal rhymes are age old entertainment themes. If you want the child to learn about a Horse then ‘Horsie Horsie don’t you stop’ is the best rhyme. ‘Donkey Donkey Old and Gray’ is another animal rhyme. ‘The elephant moves like this and that’ is another funny rhyme much enjoyed by the baby and the reciter. Cries of animals are extremely hilarious couple with aggressive body movements. Kids love movement and the best way to attract them is through sounds. Teach them the cow moos and little pigs mee and slowly go on to say the cow lives in a barn and the pig has a sty.
If you are holed up in a room during a rainy day or the drive gets cumbersome, then get into a simple rhyme like ‘Baa Baa black sheep’ or ‘Peter Peter Pumpkin eater’. Switch off the television and turn on the vocal chords. The baby will soon be mimicking your actions and this response is overwhelming.
‘I am a little teapot, fat and stout, this is my handle and this is my spout. When the water is boiling, hear me out, just pick me over and turn me out’. This is an ancient poem and thanks to the originator. This is still popular with babies and they love the actions in it.
‘A tisket A tasket’ is another girlie rhyme where one can use the lost and found action. Follow a ‘Peek a boo’ later to be in sync with the lost and found meaning. ‘Little Jack Horner went to the corner’ can be used while feeding the baby.
Show the baby some pictures of a sheep and lamb and sing along ‘Mary had a little lamb’. ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’ can never be old as this Mother Goose rhyme is still a great hit. ‘Goosey Goosey Gander’ can be gently repeated when the child is irritable. ‘Little Miss Muffet’ is another baby rhyme where one can exaggerate the effect of a spider on the little girl. ‘I love you, you love me, we are all a family’ is the best way to inculcate family values to a little baby.
Most of the rhymes may not make sense for a little child but with constant listening they hang on to the words, build their vocabulary. Response could be a nod, a giggle or a hand movement and recognize/ encourage the same. These are the early signs of conversation.
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| SOME RHYMES |
| Hey Diddle Diddle |
| Baa, Baa, Black Sheep |
| Hickory, Dickory, Dock |
| Jack and Jill went up the hill |
| Little Miss Muffet |
| One, two |
| Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake |
| Rock-a-bye, baby |
To market, to market, to buy a
fat pig |
Wee Willie Winkie runs through
the town |
| Two Twin Aeroplanes |
| Engine Engine Number Nine |
| Little Bo Peep |
| Five little freckled frogs |
| Four little monkeys |
| A tisket A tasket |
| Goosey Goosey Gander |
| One Two Three Four Five |
| Hot cross buns |
| Pat a cake |
| Rolly Polly Rolly Polly |
| Open Shut them |
| After a bath |
| Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater |
| Row Row Row your boat |
| Mary Mary Quite contrary |
| I love you, you love me |
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