From the earliest age, we recite short rhymes to children. Along with creating a close bond with a parent, this helps support babies’ cognitive development. As they focus on facial expressions and tone of voice, they exercise their memory, learn to distinguish sounds and practise speaking earlier than other children.

Rhymes can also help them learn their first mathematical concepts and understand the idea of numbers. They can learn to count from 1 to 10 through play as you sing “Ten Elephants Were Swinging.”