Which nursery rhymes should I teach my child first?
Start with short rhymes that have actions, and the ones you already remember. The Itsy Bitsy Spider is a good first choice: four lines, big hand movements and a story a toddler can follow.
What makes a good first rhyme
Look for short lines, a strong beat and something for hands or bodies to do. If you can say it without looking at your phone, you’ll actually use it in the car, the queue or the bath.
A simple order
Begin with one action rhyme such as the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Add a counting rhyme when your child starts to show interest in numbers. Then add a rhyme that goes with a daily job, such as brushing teeth or bedtime. Three is plenty. It’s better to know three well than to rush through thirty.