Rhyme Challenge

Get singing, get rhyming, get talking, get reading…

The Rhyme Challenge is a fun way to introduce children and families to rhymes. Rhymes may be new to families or forgotten, and they require help to build up confidence to have a go themselves.

Young children learn best through seeing someone they know well doing things, and through repetition.

Rhymes can be shared almost anywhere – in the car or bus, the bath, in the supermarket. You can use rhymes during less popular activities to encourage children, for example, tidy up time, nappy changing, going to bed.

Latest news

Bradford Libraries is challenging under fives to take up the Rhyme Challenge again this year. Toddler groups, pre-schools, nurseries and children's centres are kicking off the challenge which involves parents and children learning five rhymes together.

The aim is for up to 4,000 children from Bradford to take part in the challenge once it is completed in March next year. The challenge will take place in libraries in the new year.

Parents wanting to take part in the challenge can contact Bradford Libraries Early Years Development Officer on 01274 433684 to find out how to get involved.

Staff working with the children will also be in with a chance to win one of the Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Awards. Last year awards were given for best practice in libraries, toddler groups, children's centres and nurseries along with a special individual award.

For more details contact your local library.

Many libraries run regular Rhyme Times, you can join in and have fun with other families.

This year's rhymes are available from the links on this page.

The benefits of rhymes…

• Rhymes are often repetitive and make the words easier to learn, especially when they are sung.
• They are a fun way for a child to acquire language skills and great building blocks for future learning.
• Most rhymes involve some physical interaction, which adds fun, surprise and anticipation.
• They give children a sense of story with a beginning, middle and end and an awareness of sounds.
• Rhymes introduce numbers, colours, shapes, animals, parts of the body etc.
• Help develop concentration and listening skills.
• They help parents to overcome feeling shy or awkward when talking to very young children.
• Help parents and carers realise how important they are as their child’s first teacher.
• Sharing rhymes help bonding and togetherness between children and parents and carers.