Mother Goose Time

Nursery rhymes, songs, and ngerplays for caregivers of young children

Babies and Early Literacy

Babies learn about language right from birth. Reading, singing, and using nursery rhymes and language play throughout the day teaches children about the sounds of our language. All children need to have the six pre-literacy skills when they begin school (see below). When children are prepared for school, they are much more likely to succeed.

The six pre-literacy skills young children can start learning right from birth:
Narrative skills. Talk about what you are doing as you go through your day Vocabulary. Speak clearly, encourage babbling and attempts at saying words; point to pictures and objects and name them Letter knowledge. Help children see shapes and name them, read alphabet books and say the names of letters; point out letters on toys, food boxes, and other places. Phonological awareness. Use songs and nursery rhymes to help young children learn the sounds of language; add actions to the sounds Print motivation. Begin reading right from birth; make book sharing a special time and visit the library often to nd appealing books. Print awareness. Use board or cloth books and let child hold the book; read aloud every day; point out labels, signs, and other sources of print and read them out loud.

Nursery Rhymes
Hey Diddle Diddle Hey diddle diddle The cat and the ddle The cow jumped over the moon The little dog laughed To see such a sight And the dish ran away with the spoon Little Miss Muffet Little Miss Muffet Sat on her tuffet Eating her curds and whey Along came a spider And sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away Hickory Dickory Dock Hickory dickory dock The mouse ran up the clock The clock struck one The mouse ran down Hickory dickory dock Little Boy Blue Little boy blue, Come, blow your horn. The sheeps in the meadow, The cows in the corn. Wheres the little boy Who looks after the sheep? Hes under the haystack Fast asleep. Jack and Jill Jack and Jill went up the hill To fetch a pail of water Jack fell down and broke his crown And Jill came tumbling after

Rub-a-Dub-Dub Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub, And how do you think they got there? The butcher, the baker, The candlestick maker, They all jumped out of a rotten potato Twas enough to make a man stare One Two Buckle My Shoe One, two, buckle my shoe. Three, four, shut the door. Five, six, pick up sticks. Seven, eight, lay them straight. Nine, ten, a good fat hen. Old Mother Goose Old Mother Goose, When she wanted to wander Would ride through the air On a very ne gander. Little Bo-Peep Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep, And cant tell where to nd them. Leave them alone, And theyll come home, Wagging their tails behind them. Humpty Dumpty Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty dumpty had a great fall! All the kings horses And all the kings men Couldnt put Humpty together again.

Rock-a-Bye, Baby Rock-a-bye, baby, On the treetop. When the wind blows, The cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, The cradle will fall. Down will come baby, Cradle and all. Pease Porridge Hot Pease porridge hot, Pease porridge cold, Pease porridge in the pot Nine days old. Some like it hot, Some like it cold, Some like it in the pot, Nine days old. Mary, Mary Mary, Mary, quite contrary How does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells And pretty maids all in a row Baa, Baa Black Sheep Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full. One for my master, One for my dame, And one for the little boy, Who lives down the lane.

red

pink

yello

blue

Hello and Goodbye Rhymes

Hello, Everybody
Hello, everybody
(Wave to everyone) (Shrug shoulders) (Shrug shoulders)

And how are you? How are you? Hello, everybody

(Wave to everyone) (Shrug shoulders) (Shrug shoulders)

Hello

How are you?

How are you today?

And how are you? How are you today?

Peek-a-Boo
Peek-a-boo, Peek-a-boo
(Repeat) (Put hands over eyes, remove them quickly)

I see you, I see you

(Point to baby) (Point to nose)

I see your button nose I see your tiny toes I see you,
(Point to baby) (Point to toes or shoes)

Peek-a-boo.

(Repeat as above)

How Are You?

(wave hello) (point to children) (wave hello)

Hi, hello, how are you? How are you? How are you? Hi, hello, how are you? How are you today?
(allow children time to respond to the question)

Skinnamarink

Skinnamarinky dinky dink, Skinnamarinky doo, I Love You!

(place left hand under right elbow and wiggle right hand) (place right hand under left elbow and wiggle left hand) (point to eye, fold arms across chest, point to child)

Skinnamarinky dinky dink,

(repeat above action) (repeat above action)

Skinnamarinky doo, Iloveyou.

(repeat above action)

I love you in the morning, And in the afternoon,

(make a circle by holding your hands, keep arms down and gently swing them back and forth) (same shape as above but move arms to chest level)

I love you in the evening Underneath the moon.

(same action as above)

(same shape as above but move arms over head) (make a circular motion around body with arms)

Skinnamarinky dinky dink, Skinnamarinky doo, Iloveyou.

(same action as above) (same action as above)

1 2 3 4

My Hands Say Thank You

(Clap three times) (Tap feet three times)

My hands say thank you with a clap, clap, clap. My feet say thank you with a tap, tap, tap. Clap, clap, clap
(Clap three times)

Tap, tap, tap.

(Tap feet three times) (Roll hands around) (Wave)

I roll my hands around And then I say Goodbye!

Hello

Hell-oo, Hell-oo, Hello and how are you? Im ne... Im ne And I hope that you are too! (Repeat)

Welcome

(Farmer in the Dell) (clap to the rhythm throughout the song)

Childs Name is here today, Childs Name is here today, Lets all clap because Childs Name is here today.

We Are Leaving
(Frere Jacques)

We are leaving We are leaving Until next week Until next week It was very nice to see you It was very nice to see you Have a nice day Have a nice day

Fingerplays
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.
(Opposite thumbs and pointer nger climb up)

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

(Flutter ngers downward. Hands sweep down)

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

(Arms form circle overhead, then sweep upward) (Opposite thumbs and pointer nger climb up)

And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.

Five Fat Peas

(Hold st up)

Five fat peas in a pea pod pressed. One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest.
(Bring up each nger like counting)

They grew and they grew and they never stopped.

(Raise arm higher and higher in the air) (Clap hands once)

They grew so big that the pea pod POPPED.

Pat-a-Cake
(Clap four times) (Clap four times)

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, bakers man Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Roll it
(Roll hands around each other)

And pat it

(Pat hands in air)

And mark it with a B.

(Trace B in the air)

And put it in the oven For baby and me.

(Point to baby then self)

(Forward motion of hands)

Open, Shut Them

Give a little clap.
(Clap hands)

Open, shut them. Open , shut them.

(With hands at shoulder height, open and shut them)

Open, shut them. Open, shut them. (With hands at shoulder height, open and shut them) Lay them in your lap.
(Lay hands in lap) (Repeat motions)

Open, shut them. Open, shut them. Now, creep them, creep them Right up to your chin.
(Put ngers on chin) (Wiggle ngers while creep them up to chin)

Open up your little mouth: Ahhh.

(Open mouth and say ahhh)

But do not let them in.

(Repeat motions) (Repeat motions) (Repeat motions) (Repeat motions) (Repeat motions)

(Quickly put hands behind back)

Open, shut them. Open, shut them. Give a little clap. Open, shut them. Open, shut them. Lay them in your lap. Open, shut them. Open shut them. Now, like little birdies, let them utter to the sky.
(Flutter ngers up high)

Falling, falling, almost to the ground.

(Bring uttering ngers down, not quite to the ground)

Quickly pick them up again and turn them round and round.
(Quickly pick hands up and roll them around each other)

Faster, faster. Slower, slower.

(Repeat motions) (Repeat motions) (Repeat motions) (Repeat motions)

(Do above motion faster then slower)

Open, shut them. Open, shut them. Give a little clap. Open, shut them. Open, shut them. Lay them in your lap.

Five Little Ducks Went Out to Play

Five little ducks went out to play.
(Hold up 5 ngers)

Over the hills and far away.

(Put hand to forehead as if looking)

Mother duck said, Quack, quack, quack, quack.

(Use hand to make quacking motion) (Hold up 4 ngers) (Repeat until no ducks come back.)

But only four little ducks came back. So father duck said, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK.
(Use hand to make quacking motion) (Hold up 5 ngers)

And all the little ducks came back.

Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Five green and speckled frogs
(Hold up 5 ngers and wag them back and forth)

Sitting on a speckled log Eating some most delicious bugs.

(Make eating motion)

Yum, yum, yum.

(Rub tummy in circular motion)

One dove into the pool,

(Put hands together as if diving)

Where it was nice and cool. Now there are four green, speckled frogs.
(Hold up 4 ngers and wag them back and forth) (Repeat until no frogs) (Shrug shoulders)

Now there are no green, speckled frogs.

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
(Hold up 5 ngers)

One fell off and bumped his head.

(Bump head with hand)

The Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,

(Pretend to use telephone) (Wag nger) (Repeat until no monkeys)

No more monkeys jumping on the bed.

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree

Five little monkeys, swinging in a tree.
(Wave ngers at left hand) (Hold up 5 ngers on right hand. Swing rhythmically)

Teasing Mr. Crocodile, You cant catch me. Up comes Mr. Crocodile as quiet as can be,
(Clap once) (Repeat fourthreetwoone until no monkeys) (Make mouth with left hand and creep toward right hand)

And snaps that monkey right out of the tree. No little monkeys swinging from a tree, Id better watch out or he might catch me!
(Point to self)

Here is the Beehive

Here is the beehive.
(Hold up st) (Shrug shoulders)

But where are the bees? Hiding inside, where nobody sees.
(Tap st with other hand)

Watch them come out of the hive. Onetwothreefourve.

(Extend ngers one at a time and count)

Bzzzzzzzz.

(With all ngers extended, move hand to babys tummy and tickle)

Where is Thumbkins?
Where is Thumbkins? Where is Thumbkins? Here he is, Here he is.
(Hide hands behind back)

(Bring out one hand, thumb up) (Bring out other hand, thumb up)

Mighty glad to see you, Mighty glad to see you.

(Wag other thumb)

(Wag one thumb at the other)

There he goes, There he goes.

(Put one hand behind back) (Put other hand behind back)

Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum

Fe, , fo, fum
(Clap) (Wag ngers)

See my ngers? See my thumbs?

(Wag thumbs) (Clap)

Fe, , fo, fum Goodbye ngers,

(Put one hand behind back)

Goodbye thumbs.

(Put other hand behind back)

Two Little Blackbirds

Two little blackbirds
(Hold up two thumbs)

Sitting on the wall. One named Peter,

(Wag one thumb at the other)

The other named Paul. Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul.
(Bring one back) (One hand behind back) (Other hand behind back)

(Wag other thumb at the other thumb)

Come back Peter, Come back Paul.

(Bring other back)

Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum

Roll Your Hands

Roll, roll, roll your hands

(Roll hands around each other fast)

As fast as fast can be. Do it now, let me see, Do it now with me. Clap, clap, clap your hands,
(Clap hands rhythmically)

As loud as loud can be. Do it now, let me see, Do it now with me. Tap, tap, tap your feet,
(Tap feet softly)

As soft as soft can be. Do it now, let me see, Do it now with me.

Wave

Wave one hand Wave the other Wave both hands Now wave to each other!
(Do motions as rhyme suggests)

Grandmas Glasses
This is Grandmas hat.
(Fold hands together) (Put hands in lap) (Repeat) (Repeat)

These are Grandmas glasses

(Make tent on head with hands)

(Make circle with thumb and index nger and put up to eyes)

Grandma folds her hands like this And puts them in her lap. These are Grandpas glasses This is Grandpas hat. Grandpa folds his arms like this
(Fold arms over chest)

And takes a little nap.

(Put head to the side and snore)

This Little Piggy

This little piggy went to market

(Wiggle big toe back and forth)

This little piggy stayed home

(Wiggle next toe back and forth) (Wiggle next toe back and forth)

This little piggy had roast beef This little piggy had none.
(Wiggle next toe back and forth) (Wiggle little toe back and forth)

This little piggy went Wee, wee, wee, All the way home.
(Can also do this with the ngers, ending with the pinkie)

The Wheels on the Bus

(Turn hands around each other)

The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town. The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish
(Move both hands and arms back and forth as wipers) (Motion with thumb)

The driver on the bus says Move on back. The people on the bus go up and down
(Stand up and sit down)

The babies on the bus go Wah, wah, wah

(Put sts to eyes as if crying) (Put index nger to mouth) (Hug self or baby)

The mothers on the bus go Shh, shh, shh The fathers on the bus go I love you

Action Rhymes
If Youre Happy And You Know It
(Clap twice) (Clap twice)

If youre happy and you know it, clap your hands. If youre happy and you know it, clap your hands. If youre happy and you know it, Then your face will surely show it,
(Pull up corners of mouth)

If youre happy and you know it Clap your hands.

(Clap twice) (Repeat with stomp your feet, shout hurray, do all three)

Down by the Station

Down by the station, early in the morning,

(Walk around room shufing feet) (Walk around room shufing feet)

See the little puffer-bellies all in a row; See the station master pull the little handle
(Pull handle in air and shufe along) (Pull handle in air and shufe along)

Chug, chug, toot, toot, off we go!

Grand Old Duke of York

(start sitting down)

Oh, the grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men. He marched them up to the top of the hill
(stand up)

Then he marched them down again.

(crouch down) (stand up)

And when youre up youre up And when youre down youre down,
(Crouch down)

And when youre only halfway up,

(Crouch halfway)

Youre neither up nor down.

(Stand up then go down quickly)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees and toes Knees and toes.
(Touch knees then toes) (Touch head, shoulders, knees then toes)

Head, shoulders, knees and toes Knees and toes.

(Touch knees then toes)

(Touch head, shoulders, knees then toes)

Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.

(Point to eyes, ears then mouth and nose)

Head, shoulders, knees and toes Knees and toes.

(Touch knees then toes)

(Touch head, shoulders, knees then toes)

Ring Around the Rosie

Ring around the rosie,
(Hold hands and walk in a circle)

A pocket full of posies, Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

(Sit down) (Clap)

Cows are in the meadow, Eating buttercups, Ashes, ashes, We all stand up!
(Stand up)

Im a Little Teapot
Im a little teapot
(Bend knees in rhythm)

Short and stout Here is my handle, Here is my spout.

(Put hand on hip like handle) (Put arm out to side like spout)

When I get all steamed up Hear me shout. Just tip me over and pour me out!
(Lean over sideways on spout side)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

(Turn around in circle) (Touch ground)

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around. Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground. Teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe.
(Point one foot out) (Wag nger)

Teddy bear, teddy bear, that will do.

If Youre Wearing Red Today

If youre wearing red today,
(Clap)

Red today, red today, If youre wearing red today, Please stand up.
(Person wearing red stands up) (Repeat with other colors)

Punchinello

What can you do, Punchinello, funny fellow? What can you do, Punchinello, funny you?
(one child performs an action)

Well do it too, Punchinello funny fellow, Well do it too, Punchinello, funny you
(the rest of the group copies the action)

Up, Up, Up

Here we go up, up, up. Here we go down, down, down. Here we go up, up, up, And now we turn around.
(follow actions described in the rhyme)

Walking, Walking
(tune: Frere Jacques)

Walking, walking, Walking, walking. Hop, hop, hop. Hop, hop, hop. Tiptoe, tiptoe, Tiptoe, tiptoe. Now we stop. Stop, stop, stop.

(follow actions suggested in the rhyme)

Lap Rhymes
Father and Mother and Uncle John
Father and Mother and Uncle John
(bounce baby on knee)

Went to town, one by one. Father fell off,

(lean to one side)

Mother fell off,

(lean to other side)

But Uncle John went on and on and on.

(bounce baby on knee)

Diddle Diddle Dumpling

(bicycle childs legs)

Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John, Went to bed with his trousers on. One shoe off, and one shoe on,
(wiggle one foot and then the other) (bicycle childs legs)

Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John.

Rickety, Rickety Rocking Horse

Rickety, rickety rocking horse,
(bounce baby on lap)

Over the hills we go. Rickety, rickety rocking horse, Giddy-up, giddy-up, whoa!
(hug child on whoa)

Leg Over Leg

Leg over leg,
(bounce baby on lap)

As the dog went to Dover. When he came to a stile, Jumphe went over.
(lift baby up on Jump)

Pitty Patty Polt

Pitty, patty, polt,
(tap babies feet together)

Shoe the little colt, Here a nail,

(wiggle one foot)

There a nail,

(wiggle other foot)

Pitty, patty, polt.

(tap babies feet together)

Bumping Downtown in My Little Red Wagon

Bumping downtown in my little red wagon,
(bounce baby on lap)

Bumping downtown in my little red wagon, Bumping downtown in my little red wagon, Bumpety, bump, bumpbump!

Slowly Slowly

Slowly, very slowly, up the garden rail,

(walk ngers up babys arm)

Slowly, very slowly, creep the little snail.

(walk ngers up babys other arm) (circle babies belly)

Then quickly, very quickly, runs the little mouse, Quickly, very quickly, all around the house.

Round and Round the Garden

Round and round the garden,
(circle babies belly)

Goes the teddy bear. One step, two step,

(tickle under chin)

(walk ngers up babies arm)

Tickle em under there.

Big A
Big A,
(bounce baby on lap)

Little a, Bouncing B. Cats in the cupboard, But he cant see me.

(cover babys eyes)

Peek-a-boo

(uncover babys eyes)

Little Train

This little train ran up the track,

(walk ngers up babys arm)

Toot, toot, toot. This little train ran up the track,

(walk ngers up babys other arm) (walk ngers down babys arm)

And this little train came toot-tooting back. Toot, toot, toot.

Ride a Cock Horse

Ride a cock horse
(bounce baby on lap)

To Banbury Cross, To see a ne lady Upon a white horse. With rings on her ngers,
(touch babys ngers) (touch babys toes)

And bells on her toes, She shall have music,

(bounce baby on lap)

Wherever she goes

Trot, Trot to London

Trot, trot to London. Trot, trot to Dover. Look out baby, Or youll fall over.
(bounce baby on knees)

(lean knees to one side)

Trot, trot to Boston. Trot, trot to Lynn. Look out baby, Or youll fall in.
(lower knees)

2
3

(bounce baby on knees)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat,
(bounce baby on lap)

Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. Rock, rock, rock your boat,
(rock baby from side to side)

Gently to and fro. Look out, give a shout, Into the water you go.

Reading with young children

Choose books with bright, clear pictures that stand out from the background. Board books are easier for small hands to hold. Favorite books include those with photos of animals and faces. Choose simple rhyming text. Describe what is happening in each picture. Encourage babbling and other attempts at communication.

For infants from birth to 18 months

For toddlers from 18 months to three years

Choose books with simple text and illustrations that feature favorite animals and activities, such as bath time. Repetitive phrases and cumulative stories encourage toddlers to help read the book. Repeat animal sounds and other noises in the story. Ask questions about the book. Interactive books with aps to lift up encourage involvement for busy hands. How to share books with babies and toddlers: 1. Pick the best time. The best time to share books is when both you and baby are in a good mood. 2. Show baby the book. Point to the pictures and talk about them naturally and cheerfully. 3. Talk and have fun throughout storytime. Baby loves the sound of your voice, and being touched and loved while you read. 4. Watch what baby does. Let your baby play with the book and stop if he or she gets upset. 5. Share a book every day. Reading for just a few minutes a day teaches baby about language, and helps you and baby bond.

Henrico County Public Library

Visit your nearest library to learn more about early literacy.

Library Locations & Hours

BOOKMOBILE (804) 290-9350 DUMBARTON (804) 290-9400 6800 Staples Mill Rd. Henrico, VA 23228-4930 MTH: 9:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 9:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. FAIRFIELD (804) 290-9300 1001 N. Laburnum Ave. Henrico, VA 23223-2705 MTH: 9:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 9:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. GAYTON (804) 290-9600 10600 Gayton Rd. Henrico, VA 23238-4117 MW: 10:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. TH: 1:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 10:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. GLEN ALLEN (804) 290-9500 10501 Staples Mill Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060-3242 MW: 10:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. TH: 1:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 10:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. MUNICIPAL GOVT. & LAW LIBRARY (804) 501-4780 4301 E. Parham Rd. Henrico, VA 23228 MF: 8:00 a.m.4:30 p.m. NORTH PARK (804) 290-9700 8508 Franconia Rd. Henrico, VA 23227-1213 MW: 10:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. TH: 1:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 10:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. SANDSTON (804) 290-9900 23 E. Williamsburg Rd. Sandston, VA 23150-2011 MW: 10:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. TH: 1:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 10:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. TUCKAHOE (804) 290-9100 1901 Starling Dr. Henrico, VA 23229-4607 MTH: 9:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 9:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. TWIN HICKORY (804) 290-9200 5001 Twin Hickory Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23059-2509 MTH: 9:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 9:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. VARINA (804) 290-9800 2001 Library Rd. Henrico, VA 23231-5826 MW: 10:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. TH: 1:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. F & SA: 10:00 a.m.6:00 p.m.

www.henricolibrary.org
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