During the first three months, several things happen when parents repeat a familiar rhyme to their baby...
Babies are provided with the kind of repeated experiences that they need to learn (Perry & Pollard, 1998). Each new experience builds new pathways in the brain and repetition strengthens neural pathways and learning (Courchesne et al., 1994)
Babies require certain sensory experiences to learn such as, close physical contact, touch, movement, face-to-face contact within infants' visual range, and the varied sounds of words, the emphasis put on them, and the rhythm of verses.
Using rhymes and interactive games help babies begin to control physical sensations, emotions and attention. Rhymes can also help parents sooth their babies, as well as keep them entertained and awake.
Utilizing quality time between parent and child through rhymes and songs can have lasting effects with attachment and familiarity to parents.
Babies communicate in various ways such as crying, smiling, gazing and turning away, facial expressions, and movement. They take turns in interactions initiating and responding to others. This readiness for social interaction means that babies need at least one partner. (Stern, 1985)
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.
