Celebrating Mother Goose
What are some of your favorite memories of Mother Goose nursery rhymes? Have you ever wondered where she originated from? How can our children benefit from learning Mother Goose nursery rhymes? Did you know National Mother Goose Day is on May 1st? This blog post will take you back to your childhood as we celebrate all things Mother Goose!
Sweet Memories
Many of us have special childhood memories of singing and chanting our favorite Mother Goose nursery rhymes. From “Hickory Dickory Dock” to “Hey, Diddle Diddle”, these beloved songs and chants have been passed down through generations for centuries. I remember when my mom and I would read from her special book of Mother Goose nursery rhymes before bed; now my kids and I enjoy reading them together before their bedtime! I also remember a specific Barney episode where Mother Goose forgot all of her nursery rhymes and needed help remembering them. In fact, here it is, if you feel like going down memory lane with me!
Who is Mother Goose?
So where did our favorite mother originate from anyway? According to a source from www.poetryfoundation.org, “The exact identity and origin of Mother Goose herself is still unknown. Some believe that the original Mother Goose was a real woman who lived in Boston during the later half of the 17th century. After being widowed by Isaac Goose, a woman named either Elizabeth Foster Goose or Mary Goose (depending on sources) moved in with her eldest daughter, entertaining her grandchildren with amusing jingles which quickly gained popularity with the neighborhood children. According to the legend, her son-in-law, a publisher, printed her rhymes, and thus the reputation of Mother Goose was born.”
Whether she exists in your mind as a bird in a bonnet, a gentle grandmother, or a combination of both, the image of Mother Goose is a universal symbol of joy, childhood, storytelling, and safety.
The Benefits of Learning Nursery Rhymes
Why is it important to teach Mother Goose to our kids? Well, first and foremost, they help children develop their reading and language skills. The phonemes (sounds) and rhythms of her rhymes help children with pronunciation and the cadence of reading. Check out these other great reasons why nursery rhymes are beneficial to our kids and their reading/language skills! www.heidisong.com
National Mother Goose Day
National Mother Goose Day is Saturday, May 1st. It was first celebrated in 1987 to honor these beloved nursery rhymes. How can you and your kiddos recognize our favorite mother this year? I’m sharing some fantastic Mother Goose crafts and activities for toddlers, which are ideal to do with your favorite nursery rhymes. You and your littles will enjoy singing and crafting together with these ideas! (I especially love the “Put Humpty Dumpty back together again” with bandaids.)
https://teachingwithchildrensbooks.com/mother-goose-activities-for-toddlers/
About the Author
Jen was born and raised in Carrollton, TX. As a former 2nd grade teacher, she is now a stay-at-home mom raising her two beautiful daughters, Madeline (4yo) and Charlotte (2yo). She joined the CECPTA in February 2019 and is part of the purple and green playgroups. She enjoys date nights with her husband of 9 years, playing outside with her kids, exercising, a good cup of coffee, and traveling.
