Act Out a Nursery Rhyme

1. 1

   Singing an action rhyme is a playful way to help your baby stay engaged from beginning to end.

2. 2

   Choose a song with a clear story or repeated actions, such as The Itsy Bitsy Spider or If You’re Happy and You Know It.

3. 3

   Match each part with a distinct gesture. For The Itsy Bitsy Spider, move your fingers like a spider climbing up the waterspout. Adjust your pace, voice, and expression as you notice your baby’s response.

4. 4

   Your baby may track your hands with their eyes, move excitedly, or try to copy a gesture. Keep the actions easy to see and carry the song through to the end.

5. 5

   If your baby looks away, make the next movement or sound a little more noticeable. You might let the “spider” crawl gently along their arm or guide their hand through one action, then continue the song.

What to notice

• Watches and listens through the rhyme and may try to copy one of your movements Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)
• Smiles and laughs while singing nursery rhymes with you Relationships with Adults

Tips

• When your baby stays focused on your changing movements and voice through a whole song, they are practicing #ATL-CSR.
• Getting distracted does not mean the activity has failed. Keep singing and acting out the story; a new movement or sound can help draw your baby back in.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Changes in sound and movement renew your baby’s interest in the song and help them stay engaged for another part of the rhyme.