Singing with your baby

Monika singing 'The Grand Old Duke of York' to her ten month old daughter Svara.

Watch Dr Kirk's commentary to find out why nursery rhymes are so good for baby communication, or read on to find out more.

Babies love nursery rhymes, and the rhythm of songs and rhymes helps with their language development. Songs with actions in them, like all the ones we have included here, are especially good because babies can join in with them by rocking their body or doing the actions with their hands, long before they can sing along.

You'll have seen in this film just how much Svara enjoys joining in with her whole body. Monika sings the song a couple of times and each time Svara laughs just as much, if not more with every repetition.

By singing nursery rhymes over and over babies will learn to recognise the songs and will remember the actions. You will get bored of singing the same song long before your baby will tire of hearing it!

Monika does something brilliant and pauses after she has sung the rhyme once she asks Svara 'Again?' This invites Svara to respond, which she does using her voice and waving her arms in excitement.

Sharing songs is a great way to encourage your baby’s early communication. You don't need the voice of an X-Factor finalist for your baby to enjoy your singing, neither does it matter what you sing. We've included nursery rhymes here, but your baby will equally enjoy it if you sing a top ten hit or an advert jingle. As long as your baby is face to face with you, they will benefit from sharing songs with you.

Click on a nursery rhyme below to watch a film of one of our Best Beginnings parents and babies singing the song and for Dr Kirk's commentary.

Incey wincey spider

Row, row, row your boat

Find out more at the links below:

About baby communication

Playing with your baby

Talking with your baby

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Singing with your baby

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