Bonny and Owl

Bobby Shafto's gone to sea,

Silver buckles at his knee;

He'll come back and marry me,

Bonny Bobby Shafto!

Our little one loves this traditional English nursery rhyme! She delights in playing the part of Bonny Shafto, so we couldn't pass up on these matching sailor outfits! She regularly pretends to be Bonny, and she happily carries "Owl Shafto" along with her at times. She has such a fondness for this nursery rhyme that Mommy couldn't help but provide her with a homemade wedding veil to complete her dream!

What a joy it is to share in the delights of our little ones!

This post is a part of Make-Believe Mondays at My Three Rivers Home

Imagination

There are those special moments during the course of motherhood that cause you to pause for an instant and, with thankfulness in your heart, delight in the joys that are beheld. The warmth that ensues upon being allowed to enter into the imaginary realm of bumblebees and ladybugs, princesses and horseback riders can hardly be explained, but what a joy it is to catch a glimpse of the thoughts that travel through the mind of a little one...

Perhaps to the passerby the sight of a bubblegum pink stethoscope draped over a doorknob may simply indicate a landing place, a place where a child's toy was left as its owner scurried to the next activity.

But as I look upon the memory of this stethoscope draped casually over a doorknob, I consider that this was completed with the fullest of intentions. Perhaps our little girl who delights in playing with her medical kit, who becomes giddy at the first sight of an "injury," who places countless Band-Aids upon her imaginary scrapes and bruises, hung this stethoscope carefully in her medical office for use later, when an emergency required its services. Perhaps it is just one of the greatest joys of motherhood, to enter into this realm of whimsy and sweetness, of imagination and delight...

This is part of Make Believe Monday Link Up at My Three Rivers Home.

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Nursery Rhymes

We love our copy of Scott Gustafson's beautifully illustrated Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose, and perhaps the loving inscription on the inside of the front cover made by a dear grandmother makes it even sweeter! We delight in reading nursery rhymes, and the wonderful paintings that accompany this lovely collection truly set this book apart from the rest. 

There is so much to glean from the reading of nursery rhymes, and what sweet memories we have made with our oldest in sharing these lovely literary charms. Now what a joy it is to begin sharing these with our six-month-old little girl as well!

While the simple pleasures of reading together and reciting these lovely poems and songs are priceless, the developmental aspects that accompany the reading of nursery rhymes make this activity truly worthwhile! Here are a few things that I like to keep in mind when reading nursery rhymes:

1. Nursery rhymes serve as a wonderful introduction to classic tales. Some nursery rhymes have been around for quite some time, and what a benefit it is to develop a taste for traditional literature during the early years. The richness of the classic language, the rhythm of the poems, the choice of vocabulary, and the use of expressions from long ago make nursery rhymes both amusing and educational.

2. The rhythmic nature of these delightful poems and songs makes these a perfect introduction to beginning language skills. The predictable sequences and anticipated rhythm of sounds can enhance the early use of sounds and sentence patterns, as well as build reading skills later on.

3. These rhyming sequences are usually easy for little ones to remember, providing opportunities to enhance their memory skills.

4. The funny and oftentimes nonsensical themes make nursery rhymes a wonderful source for imaginative play. Think of Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, or Hickory Dickory Dock--what fun these can be for a little mind to ponder and to incorporate into their play!

What fun nursery rhymes are! And what a joy they are to remember and recite together as you go about your day. I remember some time ago our oldest daughter was keeping me company as I tended to the laundry one evening. We had such fun reciting "Little Jack Horner," adding variations to the nursery rhyme and giggling as we did so. Perhaps Little Jack Horner was eating his yogurt, peach pie, or hamburger when he stuck in his thumb! What a joy it is to remember the precious sounds of her laughter!

Here's a great article about the potential benefits of reading nursery rhymes to your child: http://wikiparenting.parentsconnect.com/wiki/Nursery_Rhyme_Benefits