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New – The Willow Cottage Collection of Children’s Stories, Rhymes and Poems.

Why are children’s stories rhymes and poems so important?

The learning “journey” is a life-long activity and we believe that the enjoyment of stories, rhymes and poetry holds an important “starter key” to all aspects of learning; and therefore to academic attainment.

We know that stories, rhymes and poetry are an important part of learning any language. Academics say youngsters with a strong sense of rhythm learn to read easily, and research has shown that a sense of rhythm is a clear indicator of reading ability.

At Willow Cottage we have been encouraging children to enjoy stories rhymes and poetry, as a foundation for their language and literacy skills, for nearly 30 years. We know that a child who learns the skills of reading at a young age has a great advantage in life. Indeed, we have in the past taken part in a research programme, carried out at Oxford University, which indicates that this advantage may be of an exponential nature. The ability to read confidently enables children to understand other concepts, advancing their knowledge and education without boundaries. Therefore we thoroughly believe in the benefits of promoting these early language and literacy skills at an early age.

Philip Pullman, a famous children’s author who lives locally, was asked by the Literacy Society to draw up a top-10 reading list for children. He lists fairytales, myths and legends as great stimuli to children’s imagination, and says: “You don’t understand everything as a child but you love the sound of it. Children respond very immediately to the musical rhythmic effects of language”.

We believe that early reading skills begin to be developed right at the start of a child’s life upon on the lap of their parent, and so in our case, the nursery practitioner who is in “Loco Parentis”. We therefore take every opportunity to encourage babies, toddlers and young children to enjoy stories, rhymes and poems, and to learn to love and respect all kinds of books from the very start.
As a child develops, it is important to introduce lots of stimulating activities and games and to provide sensory and interactive books to encourage their early language and literacy skills; thus starting to build strong foundations for their future. Some ideas follow:-

· Lots of simple poems, songs and number rhymes.
· A selection of good quality books. Exploration of stories in books individually and with an adult or older child, encouraging the children to help re-tell the story from memory and the pictures.
· Regular visits to the library to “choose” books, story telling times…. may be with the use of puppets/props that enliven the story.
· Musical sessions to promote listening skills and distinguish specific sounds.
. Opportunities to create and build stories through role play small world play, etc.
· Memory games to encourage detailed observation.
· Writing displayed and used around the house or nursery e.g. jigsaws, name cards, labels, mark making with paint, in sand and chalk etc.