See and say - Touch tickle action rhymes
Babies and toddlers love action rhymes and songs that have rhythm, rhyme and repetition.
Touch tickle rhymes
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Newborns have limited vision and focus – sound and touch are very important
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Newborns can recognise the voice of the primary carer within a few days
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Singing songs and rhymes helps the baby respond to sounds and patterns
Action rhymes
- Babies respond to sound, pitch and patterns of language
- Babies learn to attach meaning to words and actions
- Babies learn to anticipate what is going to happen next
- Babies begin to build trust with their parents and carers
- Babies learn through repetition
Rhythm
- Rhythm and beat are fundamental to language and song structures
- Movement in time with the music and the beat stimulates both the right and left sides of the baby’s brain
Turn singing and rhymes into a family activity so your baby can enjoy the action, rhythm and rhyme with everyone.
Here are some rhymes and songs for you and your baby to enjoy.
Repeat the rhymes and songs over and over. Your baby will love the repetition!
Hello rhyme
Tickle for your toes (spoken)
Tickle for your toes (tickle baby’s toes)
Tickle for your nose (tickle baby’s nose)
Tickle for your tummy (tickle baby’s tummy)
Where the watermelon goes (tickle baby’s tummy)
Arms go high and arms go low (gently move baby’s arms)
A great big hug to say hello (give baby a hug)
Sally go round the sun (sung to 'Here we go looby lou')
Sally go round the sun (insert baby’s name – lift baby, make a circle one way)
Sally go round the moon (as above – opposite direction)
Sally go round the chimneypots (bounce baby)
On a Saturday afternoon (hug baby)
I'm a little clown (sung to 'I’m a little teapot')
I'm a little clown short and fat
Here is my tummy, here is my hat (rub baby’s tummy and touch baby’s head)
I can do a trick as you will see (smile at baby)
Just turn around and look at me (turn baby around)
Blue bus, blue bus (spoken, can be spoken slowly and then repeated faster)
Blue bus, blue bus, bouncing into town (bounce up and down)
Bumpety, bumpety, up and down (bounce baby)
Blue train, blue train, rattling down the track (rock baby)
Chug chug, toot toot, clickety clack (rock baby side to side)
Blue boat, blue boat, on the ocean deep (sway baby)
Rocking, rocking, we’re all fast asleep (rock baby)
Daddy’s in the milk jug (spoken, can be spoken slowly and then repeated faster)
Daddy’s in the milk jug (clap hands)
Mummy’s in the cup (clap hands)
Sally in the sugar bowl (insert baby’s name and tickle baby)
We all jump up! (lift baby up)
Funny clown, funny clown (sung to 'Teddy bear, teddy bear')
Funny clown, funny clown, spin around (turn baby around)
Funny clown, funny clown, jump up and down (bounce baby up and down)
Funny clown, funny clown, touch your toes (touch baby’s toes)
Funny clown, funny clown, honk your nose (lightly touch baby’s nose)
Goodbye rhyme
Tickle for your toes (spoken)
Tickle for your toes (tickle baby’s toes)
Tickle for your nose (tickle baby’s nose)
Tickle for your tummy (tickle baby’s tummy)
Where the watermelon goes (tickle baby’s tummy)
Arms go low and arms go high (gently move baby’s arms)
A great big hug to say goodbye (give baby a hug)
