X131 FamEds_Supporting your child to learn English through sharing rhymes
9/10/08
14:56
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Supporting your child to learn English
through sharing rhymes by Opal Dunn
Sharing rhymes is one of the simple steps you can take to encourage children and build their confidence in using English.
Parent’s involvement in their child’s learning through sharing rhymes is an enjoyable way for children to explore the mechanics
of the English language.
children’s increasing level of English
After reading the article, choose the correct
words to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
I
children’s developing interests and gender needs –
boys in particular enjoy the physical action in:
1 Young children want to communicate ........
in English.
Jeremiah, blow the fire,
Puff, puff, puff.
First you blow it gently . . .
Then you blow it rough.
2 ........ are an effective way of helping a child
learn English.
the need to transfer useful language to daily
conversation
I
the need to include, if possible, some rhymes
known to the extended family
I
the need to include rhymes with names that can
be personalised by changing to family names:
Diddle, diddle dumpling.
My son John,
Went to bed
With his trousers on.
I scream,
You scream
We all scream for ice cream
What would you like?
Chocolate, lemon, vanilla or . . .
One is for you/And one’s for me.
Sports equipment
Look at the pictures below of items used in different sports. Ask your child to match the items to the sports by drawing a line
from the item to the sport.
Running
Football
a motivating
b rhymes
c important
d immediately
e family members
the need to include some rhymes that can be
extended into family activities or routines:
Activities to use with children
Skiing
5 It is ........ to build up a collection of rhymes.
Golf
Rugby
Answers
I
4 Knowing rhymes can provide ........
stepping stones.
1 d
I
3 It is a good idea to learn rhymes already
known to ........ ........
2 b
It is often a good idea to learn rhymes already
known to family members as it extends sharing and
I
3 e
It is important to build up a collection of rhymes
(a rhyme bank). To do this, parents should be
prepared to introduce one or two new rhymes
each week, depending on their length and children’s
interests and readiness to learn. Some days children
are more receptive to new material and it is
important to adjust to these moods. Rhymes can
be found in story rhyme picture books, rhyme
anthologies and traditional rhymes.
Exercise
4 a
Young children want to communicate immediately in
English and are often frustrated that they can’t say
what they want. Rhymes give them the opportunity to
feel that, from the first session, they can ‘say a lot of
English and say it quickly just like adults’. Sometimes
learning to speak English may seem daunting to
some young children; knowing rhymes can provide
motivating stepping stones that encourage them.
also motivates children to join in. When collecting
rhymes parents need to select those they themselves
enjoy, bearing in mind:
5 c
Rhymes are an effective way of helping a child learn
English. A rhyme, for young children, is a complete,
short experience with a beginning, an end and
its own content, which fits well with their limited
attention span. Once children have worked out
the sequences, they feel confident, as they know
that the language content is fixed, even if the
speed of reciting might alter to match a mood.
The attractive, playful language and the short
text make it easy and quick to memorise.
Word search
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See if you can find these words in the grid.
They can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal
and backwards.
B_ILD
ENJ_Y
O_TEN
COMP_ETE
EX_LORE
ROUT_NES
DA_LY
MO_DS
PICTURE
Ask your child to draw a picture of the equipment used in his or her favourite sport, for example a football.
You can also get your child to act out some different sports for you to guess, and vice versa.
For activities to help your child’s English go to: www.britishcouncil.org/kids
More guidance for parents: www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish/parents
© British Council 2008