Nursery RhymesDefinition, History, Groups and Examples

Definition1. The term is used for traditional poems for young children.

2. A rhymed verse associated with nursery and early childhood.

3. A childs introduction to poetry.

HistoryFrom the late Middle Ages there are records of short childrens rhyming songs. Oral tradition.

They were written down in the 18th century. (Publishing of childrens books began with the aim of entertainment) (Tommy Thumbs Pretty Song Book and Newberys compilations of Mother Gooses Melody, or Sonnets for the Cradle) London, 1744 and 1765.

History: 19th centuryEarly 19th century: spread to other countries: Popular Rhymes of Scotland (1826) and Mother Gooses Melody U.S. 1833).

Romanticism: collection of folk songs included collection of nursery rhymes. Walter Scott, Robert Burns

20th centuryWorking women. : quality time. Technological development: Often come with colourful pictures and/ or sounds.

Types of nursery rhymesOldest: lullabyA lullaby is a soothing piece of music, usually played or sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of aiding that process. As a result, the words and the music are often simple and repetitive.

Lullaby: example

Rock-a-bye baby, in the tree top When the wind blows, the cradle will rock When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall And down will come baby, cradle and all (Native American Origin)

RiddlesAnother old tradition from the 17th century. Veiled or double meaning. Most famous example is Humpty Dumpty.Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again. (broken egg)

RiddlesTwo legs sat upon three legsWith one leg in his lapIn comes four legsAnd runs away with one legUp jumps Two legsCatches up three legsThrows it after four legsAnd makes him bring back one leg.(Man, chair, dog, and meat)

Acting Rhymes/Action SongsThis little pig went to marketThis little pig stayed at homeThis litttle pig had roast beefAnd this little pig had none.And this little pig cried wee-wee-weeAll the way home. (Playing with the childs toes, each representing a pig)

Acting rhymes/Action songsTo market, to marketTo buy a fat pigHome again, home againJiggety-jig.To market, to market,To buy a fat hog,Home again, home againJiggety-jog. (Bouncing the child on the knee).

Counting rhymes, counting-out rhymes.Two purposes 1. Teach to count. 2. Games in which one child is singled out. One, two,Buckle my shoe;Three, four,Open the door;Five, six,Pick up sticks;Seven, eight,Lay them straight:Nine, ten,A big, fat hen.

Eeny, meeny, miney, moe, catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers let him go. Eeny, meeny, miney, moe.

History rhymesReferences to historical characters or events.London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady. (Burning of wooden bridges by the Vikings)

History rhymesBaa, baa, black sheep,Have you any wool?Yes, sir, yes, sir,Three bags full;One for the master,And one for the dame,And one for the little boyWho lives down the lane. (Slavery, slave trade)

Tongue twistersA tongue-twister is a phrase that is designed to be difficult to articulate properly, and can be used as a type of spoken (or sung) word game.Betty Botter bought a bit of butter. The butter Betty Botter bought was a bit bitter And made her batter bitter. But a bit of better butter makes better batter. So Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter Making Betty Botter's bitter batter better. (Combination of alliteration and rhyme)

Nonsense poems (limericks)

An ambitious young fellow named Matt Tried to parachute using his hat. Folks below looked so small As he started to fall, Then got bigger and bigger and SPLAT! Content? Form? Rhyme?

Playground and street songsA playground song is a song sung by children (not their parents) spontaneously, usually on a playground or other children's gathering place. Row, row, row your boat Gently Down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream. If you see a crocodile, Don't forget to scream. Argh!(Row, Row, Row Your Boat sees pairs of children rowing an imaginary boat.)

Occasional songsAn occasional song is a song or ballad written and sung for a special occasion: birthday, Christmas etc.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way! Oh, What fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way! Oh, What fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh.

Pastime songs: connected to everyday activitiesIm a little teapotShort and stoutHere is my handleHere is my spoutWhen I get all steamed upHear me shoutJust tip me over and pour me out!

Nursery rhymes in education Experts in child development have discovered that if a child knows eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they are four years old, they are usually among the best readers and spellers in their class by the time they are in Year 3. (Welsh research)

Nursery rhymes are useful because1. They teach early phonic skills (the ability to hear, identify and manipulate sounds)2. They give children practice in pitch, volume as well as in language rhythm3. They expand a childs imagination 4. They follow a clear sequence of events5. They improve a childs vocabulary 6. They are poetry and contain sophisticated literary devices.