Why are nursery rhymes and action songs important?

Rhymes - actually any spoken language - 'program' your child's brain to better understand and process language. As your baby hears your voice singing, speaking, and repeating phrases, the neuronal pathways in the infant brain are made stronger and wider. Nursery rhymes provide patterns and, by ending with actual 'rhymes', allow for the development of a sense of prediction (e.g. "The frog...sat on the ....log!") and context.

Action songs have the same benefits but in addition - if you can sing at all :) - provide your child with early music. If you perform the actions for your child, you are activating his/her sense of touch as you handle and move the limbs; you are also patterning kinesthetically. When the child is old enough to mimic you and move for him/herself, neuromuscular development is taking place. Dancing around is great physical activity, promotes balance and a sense of rhythm...plus it's fun.

And most importantly, doing nursery rhymes, action songs, and any other interaction with your child makes you an awesome parent! You are one of the most essential parts of his or her growth and development at one of the most essential stages of his/her life. Like I said...awesome.

(P.S. I'm a mother, linguist, poet, ESL teacher, homeschooled, singer, early childhood educator. You can trust me on this! :) )