Four Favorite Count-With-Baby Rhymes
For many of us, our fondest childhood memories include spending one-on-one rocking chair time with Mom or Dad. Often, those times involved cheerful singsong rhymes and baby games, and we cooed and giggled with delight. Who knew the seeds of learning were being planted?
Counting rhymes are a chipper and silly, not to mention highly interactive, way to begin to familiarize your baby with numbers. While counting 10 or more objects is a developmental milestone that’s still a few years away, you can start laying the groundwork during your baby’s infancy.
Why counting songs work
Babies learn best from humans as opposed to screens, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The group recommends keeping children under 2 years old as screen-free as possible. Unstructured playtime with Mom and Dad is more valuable to the developing brain than electronic media, say the experts.
Try these four favorite counting songs
Dive into one of these ditties at any point -- from high-chair time to bath time, diaper time, and stroller time -- and slip some counting into your baby's daily routine. Have fun and be silly, trying on curious voices and tempos. Don’t forget to build a little joint applause into the end of each rendition. The two of you are learning to count together!
“One Potato, Two Potatoes”
One potato, two potatoes
Three potatoes, four!
Five potatoes, six potatoes
Seven potatoes, more!
Recite this fitting nursery rhyme while preparing a meal for your baby. Demonstrate with actual potatoes, or replace the word “potatoes” with another fruit or veggie from your kitchen. Feeling lively? Toss in a little juggling action to entertain your baby.
“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, do it again!
Your baby might enjoy this playful rhyme while you’re changing her, especially when she’s just woken up.
“Five Little Monkeys”
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed”
This one is an obvious ideal for bedtime rock-alongs. Each time you start a new verse, begin with a lower number and hold up the amount of fingers that corresponds. Your baby will be fast asleep in no time.
“This Little Piggy Went to Market”
This little piggy went to the market. That’s one!
This little piggy stayed home. That’s two!
This little piggy had roast beef. That’s three!
This little piggy had none. That’s four!
This little piggy cried wee-wee-wee all the way home. That’s five!
Because it’s a bit more interactive and playful, involving lightly wiggling your baby’s toes and squeezing her fingers, this rhyme is ideal for lap time. Have fun with it as you and your baby enjoy some precious bonding.
