Reports a strong, highly specific relationship between young children's knowledge of nursery rhymes and the development of phonological skills, which remained significant when differences in IQ and social background were controlled. Measures of nursery rhymes and alliteration were related to early reading skills. (Author/NH)

Compares the effectiveness of two approaches for teaching basic sight words to educable mentally handicapped students: (1) using the Language Experience Approach (LEA) alone; and (2) using LEA with nursery rhymes. Finds the subjects learned words more easily and rapidly when using nursery rhymes. (RS)

The article considers nursery rhymes as the foundation for learning. It is said that nursery rhymes carry all the parts of language that lead to speaking and reading. Because rhymes are short, they are easy for children to repeat, and become some of the first sentences children utter. The rhymes expand vocabulary, exposing children to words they…

This article reports on findings from a research study that set out to identify factors that enable children considered to be able by their teachers to extend and develop their literacy. The data substantiated much that is already known about the significance of preschool home influences on the emergence of literacy. It underlined the importance…

Parents and teachers often ask for help in finding a variety of appropriate language arts materials to use with blind preschoolers through age 4. (LH)

Aside from being fun to do, singing songs, saying poems and rhymes, and doing finger plays with children helps them develop early literacy skills. The 700 selections in this compilation of songs and rhymes will help children ages 3 to 6 build a strong foundation in skills and concepts such as listening; colors, shapes, and counting; vocabulary;…

Describes research on children's writing and knowledge of the writing process conducted by a university professor, graduate student, and kindergarten teacher. Focuses on two aspects of the research: children's written responses to nursery rhymes; and their perceptions of the writing process as revealed through writing activities and interviews.…

Reports on longitudinal data from a group of three- to six-year-olds (N=64) that supports a hypothesis that acquaintance with nursery rhymes positively affects children's reading ability. Data showed a strong relation between early knowledge of nursery rhymes and success in reading and spelling, despite differences in social background,…

Discusses opportunities to use nursery rhymes to aid in the mathematical development of young children. Considers rhymes that involve patterns, ordering, and problem solving. (MKR)

This article reports an investigation of the attitudes and opinions of children's librarians towards poetry, and towards its promotion in the public library. It also reports some attitudes towards literature promotion to young people in general. A series of structured interviews with library professionals currently working in the public sector…

Iona and Peter Opie's contribution to children's literature began with a volume on the origins of nursery rhymes. A nursery rhyme tells a brief and memorable surrealist story about people, animals, or familiar activities. Most nursery rhymes were not originally composed for children but were fragments of ballads or folk songs, remnants of ancient…

Over 100 pages of nursery, nonsense, and nature rhymes for the preschool and primary-grade Spanish-speaking child are presented. Included are patio plays, riddles, and outdoor games. All rhymes are given in English on one page and Spanish on a corresponding page. Additionally, each page contains color illustrations in the 3 sections: rhymes,…

Developed from the activities of a summer institute in Texas that focused on "The Odyssey," folk and fairy tale, and folk rhyme, this resource guide presents 50 lesson plans offering a variety of approaches to teaching mythology and folklore to elementary school students. The lesson plans presented in the resource guide share a common…

Argues involving young children in food preparation activities enhances traditional curriculum areas of language arts, math, science, and social skills. Encourages utilization of children's literature as sources replete with references to food and teaching ideas on food via literary tie-ins. Provides specific recipes which relate to Mother Goose…

Around the world, the singing of lullabies and reciting of nursery rhymes foster children's development and show parents' love for their infants and young children. (BB)