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Rhythms are so comforting to babies that they often use rocking to reveal when they are bored or lonesome. Some wee ones will occupy themselves by twisting their hands in front of them and staring at them while lying in a crib. These are signals that your baby needs more variety in intimate back-and-forth play. Crib toys, overhead mobiles, lots of floor time on the tummy, and time together with you will take away your baby's need for stereotyped rhythmic rocking.
On the other hand, rhythmic rocking and rolling to nursery rhymes is something to encourage. The timeless appeal of these rhythmic treasures help infants and toddlers develop language and enjoy movement. As you recite the familiar and strongly emphatic rhythms of "Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow," you may find your youngster bouncing up and down. A high-energy toddler may vigorously and happily "ride" his rocker as you intone the rhythms of the familiar rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross to see a fine lady upon a white horse."
The Rhythm of Reading
By emphasizing rhyming poems and games with your infant or toddler, you're also helping his emerging literacy. The instinct to rhyme comes somewhat naturally. Researchers have overheard and reported that even young toddlers practice their own made-up rhymes, such as "Oogie, woogie, poogie" over and over. Infants and toddlers tack on the "ee" sound as a diminutive to many words. Toddlers call out "doggie," "kitty," "horsey," as they point and label the animals they see in a picture book.
Toddlers giggle at funny rhymes even when these involve nonsense words, as in many of the Dr. Seuss books. Becoming aware of rhyming sounds boosts brain activity and early literacy ability. Adding singsong rhyming words to requests for your child to listen or to stop an activity is a great way to get her attention. Rhymes and rhythms add zest and humor as well as increasing your child's cooperation.
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