Basic Reasons:
1. If it mentions a body part, touch it, shake it, wiggle it, tickle it,
...
2. If you see a picture of the word you are saying, point it out.
3. If there is an action mentioned, mimic it.
4. Sing whenever possible.
Assuming that
you are reading to the child from one of the many nursery rhyme picture books
available or maybe an online poetry collection for children.
Pointing to a cow in the picture when a cow is mentioned in the rhyme
Using movement
or hand patterns, as in Itsy-Bitsy
Spider, also give
the child a chance to imitate you, work physically with you, and practice
their motor skills. Start this with children from the very beginning there are some researchers who believe that movement languages
like American Sign Language are learned by children who are too young to talk.
You may find your child imitating your gestures very early on, especially if
you make a ritual out of using the same gestures with the same words for
certain rhymes.
All children
take great delight Sing
Along Nursery Rhymes
and in the rhythms and melodies of tunes. Remember, your singing voice doesn't
matter - even a jolly rhythmic chant will do. The emphasis on the melody and
rhythm also helps the child learn the rhyme, increasing their vocabulary, and
verbal skills. Even very young children will also imitate the songs, and have
favorites they ask for. I have heard children as young as a year and a half
trying to sing their favorite
nursery rhymes.
Bedtime a
problem?? Play
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear!
A great rhyme to interact with you child with. And every line has something to do. Stand up and act it out with the child. Touch the ground (or if you are seated with child in lap, well, you can still *reach* for the ground, can't you?); turn yourself around or turn something around with your hand; pick up your foot and wave it around for showing the shoe, or grab the child's foot and tickle it; for that will do, shake your finger in a pseudo‑scolding motion; and so forth. If these motions seem contrived or awkward for you, come up with your own. The point is to amuse and delight your own child, and you will know best what works for the two of you. This could also be a bedtime game to help making going to bed more fun!