The benefits of song and rhyme

Why are songs and rhymes so important for babies and young children?
 
Bookstart Rhymetimes combine all the amazing benefits of enjoying both books and music with your child:

Fun!

• Music, singing and books are fun!!
   
• You don’t need any special training and you can sing and read to your child anywhere! 

Learning

• An early introduction to music is important to the overall development of the child’s physical, emotional and psychological well-being.
   
• Recent research by Youth Music has shown that music making can help to develop communication, maths, listening, concentration, sharing and social skills in under 5's.
   
• Sharing books with babies and toddlers is a wonderful way to increase language skills and help them understand the world around them.
   
• Reseach shows that children who are read to from an early age go on to have a head start at school.
   
• Bookstart Rhymetime activities include lots of movement. This aids motor skills and physical co-ordination, which contributes to their general physical well-being. 

Bonding

• Parents are their children’s most important teacher, shaping the way that they learn.
   
• For parents, music and reading together helps in the development of parenting skills and relationships they have with their children.
   
• These activities also reinforce the enjoyment of each other’s company and develops the confidence of parent and child.