Why are rhymes and songs important in nursery?
Rhymes and songs build listening skills, vocabulary, rhythm, memory and phonological awareness (hearing sounds in words), which helps later reading. Action songs also develop coordination and help with routines and transitions. They are one of the simplest and most effective tools a nursery teacher has.
What this means in practice
Every culture has children's rhymes. Using songs from children's home languages as well as English makes the classroom welcoming.
How to use rhymes well
- Repeat favourites often
- Add actions
- Pause before rhyming words
- Change words for fun (silly rhymes)
- Use songs for routines: tidy-up, hand-washing, goodbye
Building a repertoire
Keep a list of 20 to 30 rhymes and songs by theme and purpose: counting, animals, body parts, feelings, transitions.
Songs for routines
- A hello song for arrival
- A tidy-up song
- A hand-washing song
- A walking-in-line rhyme
- A goodbye song
Practical next steps
- Learn five new rhymes this month.
- Add actions.
- Use songs for routines.
What to keep in mind
Check song lyrics are age-appropriate.
Common follow-up questions
Do rhymes help reading?
Yes, they build sound awareness that supports phonics.
How many rhymes should nursery children learn?
There is no fixed number; regular repetition matters most.
Sources
- Education Endowment Foundation: Early years
- National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage 2022, NCERT
Course facts come from APTTI's published course pages. Examples use made-up names. How these answers are prepared.