Why are rhymes so important in the Nursery years?

In the Nursery years, rhymes really are one of the best ways to:

• teach new words and develop understanding of the world
• develop children’s understanding of rhyming, sounds, syllables and alliteration
• have fun and build up a bank of shared language (just like these two little ones singing around the water tray!) 

In case you are yet to discover the Rhyme time resources, there are 20 nursery rhymes and linked phonological awareness activities as well as suggestions for linked picture books and continuous provision activities.