Nursery rhymes key to language development

An innovative learning programme is teaching parents that nursery rhymes aren’t just fun to sing with children but also have a positive impact on improving language skills.

Developed by speech and language therapists in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), the ‘2 Rhymes by 2’ project aims to encourage parents and carers to use rhymes like ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’ and ‘Round and Round the Garden’ as a way of interacting with their children to develop language skills.

2 Rhymes by 2 is an innovative multimedia learning programme, with parents receiving regular reminders and new ideas via mobile phone text prompts and social media. A DVD is also provided which will demonstrate how to use nursery rhymes with a range of children from birth to two years old.

Chris Totten, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement with the PHA in the South Eastern area, said: “Significant learning and brain development takes place in the first two years of a child’s life and nursery rhymes can be important in developing a child’s understanding and use of language.

“They are also a great way to bond with your child with rhymes like ‘Round and Round the Garden’ which encourages skin to skin contact and a sense of fun with lots of smiles and giggles.

“Most people remember nursery rhymes so they have all that is needed to get started. There’s no need for fancy equipment and rhymes can be sung anywhere anytime.”

Research has also suggested that children who develop good rhyming skills are more likely to develop better reading skills when they start school.

Heather Crawford, Lead Professional Speech and Language Therapy, South Eastern HSC Trust, said: “Communication starts long before a baby is able to talk or even babble, as a child will communicate by looking and smiling and may point or copy actions and then sounds and words. Learning to talk is as important as learning to walk and 2 Rhymes by 2 is an enjoyable way to improve on these skills and give your child the best possible start in their language development.”

Now, about to begin its third year in the south eastern area, the PHA and SEHSCT are encouraging all parents living in the Lisburn Sure Start area to enjoy rhyming with children and make the most of educational benefits by participating in the programme.

For further information on 2 Rhymes by 2 contact the PHA’s Mabel Scullion on mabel.scullion@hscni.net