The Gruffalo
Sometimes I get up with the rising sun,
always happy when the day has begun,
soon it is going to be bright,
will all the hullabaloo that comes with daylight,
I am ever-ready to have some fun!
I hear a word,
a song from a bird,
my brain tries to rhyme,
form a perfect chime,
two words to rhyme,
a bonus is a third!
Children's early language skills are about listening and speaking rather than reading and writing. Rhyming is important for learning because it teaches children about language.
Rhyme helps children learn about word families such as bug/rug/hug/slug/jug or Cat/mat/hat/bat/pat
Phonological Awareness
Phonemes are the smallest units comprising spoken language. Phonemes combine to form words and sounds. Rhyme helps children develop phonological awareness, the ability to work with sounds in a language. Developing phonological awareness provides the link between written letters and spoken language. Rhyming helps children expand their vocabulary by providing ample fun with word play.
For example,
Good night sun,
hello moon,
I am sleepy,
see you soon.
The Gruffalo
In almost every culture rhymes have successfully been a part of storytelling. Julia Donaldson's, "The Gruffalo", an epic bedtime favorite, is a delightful rhyming story of a mouse and a monster. Beautiful rhyming verses with little modifications flow through seamlessly to depict a story loved by children and adults alike.
”’A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood.
A fox saw the mouse, and the mouse looked good.
’Where are you going to, little brown mouse?
Come and have lunch in my underground house.’”
Rhyming in storytelling provides a memorable and engaging experience. Rhymes often incorporate patterns and sequences which help children develop memorization and strong recollection capabilities. It helps them memorize parts of a story or an entire story effortlessly! Rhymes stick in the brain much more easily than other spoken languages. It is not surprising to see that because of the impact of rhyming, many adults can remember songs or poems they had heard in their childhood.
Rhyming is a powerful learning tool that can be used anywhere to make learning a lot more engaging and fun. With fall season around, here is something that comes to my mind,
Fall has arrived in town,
The trees are changing to Red, orange, yellow, brown,
I walk on the ground,
Making that crackling sound,
Watching the leaves slowly fall down.
Some rhymes stay with us forever. Every time I hear, "Jack in the box" or "I am special" song it reminds me of Teacher Beth's everyday ritual at BFCP. Hoping to see every kid and their parents rhyme at least sometime.