Songs and nursery rhymes are powerful tools to support children’s development from a very young age.
Songs and nursery rhymes are much more than just entertainment for children. They play a crucial role in their cognitive, emotional and linguistic development and can be valuable allies for parents in supporting their children.
From 0 to 12 months: First musical contacts
From birth, songs and nursery rhymes can be associated with daily routines such as diaper changes, feeding and bathing. At this age, babies respond particularly well to short, simple songs accompanied by gestures.
Action songs, such as “Am, stram, gram” or “Les petites marionnettes” allow the baby to begin to predict events at the end of the songs, thus promoting the development of his memory and anticipatory skills. These moments also strengthen the emotional bond with the parent.
Between 1 and 3 years: Discovery and interaction
As children grow, between the ages of 1 and 3, songs and action rhymes become interactive learning tools. Songs that name body parts, such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes” or “I Have Two Eyes,” are especially helpful in helping them identify and name the different parts of their body.
Nursery rhymes about animals, such as “Dans la ferme à Mathurin” or “Y’avait des crocodiles”, capture his imagination and enrich his vocabulary. By encouraging him to complete the sentences or rhymes, you stimulate his memory and his linguistic skills.
Between 3 and 5 years: Exploration and creativity
From the age of 3, children develop a better command of language and songs and nursery rhymes that play with words become particularly attractive. Nursery rhymes such as “Pomme de reinette” and “Trois petits chats” allow them to have fun with the sounds of language and develop their phonological awareness.
You can also encourage your children’s creativity by making up new songs based on familiar tunes. From the age of 4, marking each syllable of nursery rhymes by clapping your hands helps develop a sense of rhythm and coordination.
Learn more: “My First Nursery Rhyme Collection” by Ella Bailey and Sarah Andreacchio.
