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Rhyming and Child Development

July 1, 2010 pixeljuice

Rhyming is an early phonological awareness (listening) skill children use to distinguish units of speech.  Recognizing rhymes is crucial to reading development.


Understanding how we have syllables within words and the ability to discern phonemes (sounds) in syllables are also phonological awareness skills that facilitate literacy.


If you would like to encourage your child’s rhyming skills, here are some fun activities to practice:

  • Read rhyming books – Once your child is familiar with one of the books listed below (or similar level rhyming book), have her try to fill-in the rhyming word.  For example, Dr. Seuss’ The Foot Book begins:  Left foot, Left foot, Right foot, Right – Feet in the morning, Feet at _____ (child should say “night”).  For a rhyming challenge, read an unfamiliar rhyming book with your child in the same manner.
I Love Trucks
Train Song
Madeline
Subway
Silly Sally
Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb
Summer
Barnyard Dance
The Belly Book
Dr. Seuss
Begin with:
In a People House
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
The Foot Book
Hop On Pop
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Later, try:
The Cat in the Hat
Green Eggs and Ham
And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street
I Am Not Going To Get Up Today
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut
The Pop-Up Mice of Mr. Brice
  • Song-themed rhyming books:
Down By the Bay
Five Little Ducks
The Lady with the Alligator Purse

  • Songs and Nursery Rhymes – Use the same technique – leave off the rhyming word to encourage your child to fill it in.  As a challenge, alter the rhymes (e.g., Twinkle Twinkle Little Car).
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Do-Re-Mi
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
This Old Man
There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly
Pat-A-Cake
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Itsy Bitsy Spider
I’m A Little Teapot
Open, Shut Them
We’re going to Kentucky (We’re going to the Fair…)

  • Sing popular children’s music together using the same technique:
Laurie Berkner    
Dan Zanes
Raffi 
  • Share your favorite rhyming adult songs:
Beatles – Help, Love Me Do, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Can’t Buy Me Love, All My Loving, A Hard Day’s Night
The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me, Every Breath You Take, So Lonely, Can’t Stand Losing You, King of Pain

Motown – I Heard It Through The Grapevine, My Girl, Good Lovin’, Joy To The World, The Tracks Of My Tears, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, I Want You Back, ABC

Barenaked Ladies and James Taylor have many songs with rhyming lyrics.

60’s – Ruby Tuesday (Rolling Stones), If You Wanna Be Happy (Jimmy Soul)70’s – Celebration (Kool & The Gang), We Are Family (Sister Sledge), I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor), Y.M.C.A. (VIllage People), Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive),  50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon)

80’s –  Who Can It Be Now (Men At Work), 867-5309 / Jenny (Tommy Tutone), Mr. Roboto (STYX), Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and The Waves), Manic Monday (The Bangles)

90’s – Good Riddance / Time of Your Life (Green Day), Hairspray Soundtrack

Hip Hop is great for rhyming, but the lyrics are not always appropriate, try: Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It (Will Smith).

  • Play “I Spy” with rhymes – For example, “I spy with my little eye something that rhymes with bear!”
  • Try a rhyming puzzle.
  • Try a rhyming game with objects.
Most importantly, have fun with rhyming!!

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