Nursery rhymes

Star light star bright
The first star I see tonight
I wish I may
I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight

This simple rhyme has been shared by adults and children for generations.

The repetition and rhyme creates a calming lilt and is perfect for settling children at bedtime.

Sharing rhymes and songs with young children has many benefits. They entertain and delight as well as providing an opportunity for parents to spend time with their babies and children. Importantly, they help children understand words and how language works - skills required for children to be able to learn to read and write.

Tips for parents...

• Try reading books with your child that have a rhyming pattern such as the Dr Seuss series.
• When using traditional rhymes or songs, sing them together and stop just before each rhyming word and encourage your child to predict what comes next.
• Play eye spy with rhyming words... I spy with my little eye something that sounds like frog - dog!
• When making up rhymes and songs together, find a theme your child is interested in...animals, colours, fairies. What do they want it to be about? Help them to make up the first line, then sound out the last word so they can hear the sound. Encourage them to make suggestions about the next line and so on.
• The emphasis should always be on fun and discovery through play.