The world over nursery rhymes are used to teach children from a very early age. Likely you can remember a common one sung or spoken to you from early childhood. Why is learning rhymes and rhyming words so important? Will your child fail in reading if they do not master rhyming? And how can you teach rhyming using rhyming word worksheets?
Why Is Learning Rhyming Words So Important?
- Rhyming teaches children the sounds within words. They can see and hear patterns in words and learn how language works.
- Speaking or singing in rhymes allows children to experience the flow of language. They are animating their words, thus learning how to speak with expression, and eventually, they can read with expression and emphasis.
- Rhyming is a great prerequisite for writing. Understanding word families is vital for beginning readers. Words such as bat, cat, mat, sat…are all in the same word family, and they all rhyme too. When your child understands how those patterns work, they can begin reading and eventually writing and spelling.
- Rhyming encourages imagination. When your child is telling a story through rhymes it opens up their minds to create mental pictures.
- Rhyming is fun! Who doesn’t enjoy listening to a silly story that is told in rhymes? When your child is enjoying the process reading will be less work.
Will Your Child Fail at Reading if They Do Not Understand Rhyming Words?
The answer is no. Of course not. Every child learns differently. My younger son rolls his eyes when he hears rhymes and does not enjoy them, however, he is a good reader. Likely your child just needs more time to solidify certain ideas, but do not put too much pressure on them. Especially at an early age. Momma, there is plenty of time for your child to develop a good reading ability. Do not expect your toddler to master anything at this point. Just make the learning process fun.
How Can You Teach Rhymes?
See this post to find out where to start when teaching your child to read.
Start by singing nursery rhymes with your child. Get them used to the patterns. Fluctuate your voice to show expression, emotions, and more. Have your child imitate these as well. You will be surprised how quickly they will follow your example.
Read to them often. Obviously reading only rhyming books isn’t necessary. When you do read, model good reading.
Learn how to encourage your child to be a good reader here.
In short, you should focus on making sure your child has mastered their alphabet, and all letter sounds. This can take time, do not rush it. When you are ready to teach reading rhyming words will come naturally through teaching CVC words. CVC words are words such as HAT, CAT, MAT, SUN, BUN, RUN…words that have a consonant, vowel, consonant letter pattern. These are all short vowel sounds, but they also rhyme! (Teaching CVC words should be done well after many other skills have been mastered.)
Don’t be left in the dark as I was. Once your child has mastered basic rhyming patterns, and they are becoming a fluent reader, consider these more complicated rhyming word families! Check them out below.
Remember teaching your child is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, devotion, dedication, patience, and lots of love.
Find out how I taught my son to read here.
Rhyming Word Worksheets
Join Jane in the Rain
Learn long A words with Jane in this rhyming reader. Comes with 8 pages of additional rhyming fun!
SHOP MORE RHYMING WORDS
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