- language enrichment
- listening skills
- an interest in repetition
- an interest in rhythm
Buy or borrow a nursery rhyme book from the library. Choose some of your favourite rhymes and read, recite or sing these rhymes for your baby to hear. Repeat each one several times. The nonsensical words of these 'catchy' rhymes will entertain the baby as he listens.
Show the baby the picture that corresponds to the rhyme. The brief glance at the pictures will serve to develop beginning associations of pictures and words. Rhymes and rhythms are useful in developing early listening skills.
Repeat the recitations of the nursery rhymes whenever possible. The baby will learn to listen. As he begins to talk later, he will recite parts of his favourite rhymes spontaneously.
