18 months to 3 years

Rhymes at this age can be a fantastic motivator. Utilizing rhymes to ease the task of washing a child's face, or to calm and focus a fussy or distracted child can make a potentially difficult situation into one that a parent can handle with ease.
The repetition of each sound can aid in the learning of phonics. Furthermore, parents can use rhymes and songs to learn specific topics such as the days of the week, colors, numbers and the abc's and focus on school readiness.

Children learn new words and gain a sense of what those words mean through the actions and responses that accompany them. Rhymes also help them learn the rules for interacting with others - taking turns, asking questions and responding.
Storytelling is another fantastic way to develop a child's self-esteem and focus on their imagination. Stories offer a child an avenue to get their ideas and thoughts heard. To instill an early love for stories can be magical. It is a one way for parents to develop a love for books and reading at an early age.

All of the information provided in the Benefits of Mother Goose is taken from an article that was adapted from a presentation given at the first National Conference of the Parent - Child Mother Goose in April 2001.

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