One of the best ways to introduce babies to wildlife is through nursery rhymes. While they may be too tiny to meet an elephant face-to-face, or run around in the back yard with the local wildlife, you’d be surprised at how much babies learn from a simple rhyming song.
These simple little songs develop your babies interest in the natural world and encourage a familiarity with wildlife. They boost literacy and communication skills, too!
Many children still love to hear these little ditties well into their early school years. The repetitive nature of nursery rhymes means they never quite leave your memory… Do you remember any nursery rhymes from your childhood? I bet you do!
Wildlife Nursery Rhymes
I’ve put a few of our family’s favourite wildlife-related nursery rhymes into a printable format so that your family can enjoy them, too.
Kate from Picklebums has adorable hand puppet printables, perfect for two important rhymes I’ve missed on the Wildlife Rhyme sheet.
Check out her five little ducks and five green frogs printable.
Why not take a look around her website too? There’s plenty of other great content to look at.
If you grew up with nursery rhymes and you’ve got a particularly special one to share, feel free to email me, or post to the Mother Natured page! I would love to hear from you.
Yours in nature,
Penny x
Nursery rhymes. My twins had a “learn 10 nursery rhymes” day at prep a month or so ago. It was fun to observe how much they had learnt and how engaged they were by the rhymes and songs. Is it ok to admit that now..listening to them all bellow “1, 2, 3, 4 5….” ten times in a row, some of the appeal is now lost?
The print out is great though!
Yep, I can understand how it looses its appeal. I’m lucky that I don’t mind belting out a tune with Squeak and Prr over and over again. I have to enjoy it while I can because as soon as Miss Possum comes by I’m not allowed to sing anymore. I use to sing in the car too but I’ve been reduced to humming because Miss Possum won’t let me sing there either.
Well, “Iny Wincy…” is a big Aussie favourite, isn’t it ?
Here in our household, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” is also a big hit…especially when we need to try and distract them during nappy change. Thanks for putting all these beautiful nursery rhymes in one beautiful print out 🙂
Yes and ” Incy Wincy..” is good because it’s not a song that makes children scared of spiders like others do. A nice positive spider ditty!
I would add Little Arabella Miller. Do you know it? Twinkle Twinkle Tune (ish)
Little Arabella Miller
Found a hairy caterpillar,
First it crawled upon her mother,
Then upon her baby brother.
All said, “Arabella Miller,
Take away that caterpillar!”
I don’t think it’s anti-wildlife. In my humble opinion, those hairy grubs are better off outside, not on people!
Cute rhyme! I agree better off outside BUT Miss possum did hold a caterpillar on her hand today and she didn’t want to take it off! We found him in a baby spinach packet. Poor little thing. I’m glad we didn’t eat him.