The words for this much beloved nursery rhyme incorporate the idea of baking. The first game to play with this rhyme is to develop a clapping system and teaching your child when to clap as you say the rhyme. A simple clapping routine of clapping hands together and then clapping the toddler's hands against yours helps to develop coordination and rhythm. You can also draw a "B" in the air with your finger, which is a fun way for the toddler to learn the letter. Use this game when baking, for a fun alternative. Have your toddler get messy as she helps you bake a cake or cookies and then, when you put the cake in the oven, recite the rhyme. This helps the child associate a real action with the words, bringing out the meaning of the rhyme.
This traditional nursery rhyme goes touches on the notion of speed and agility. Use it to get your toddler moving and exercising as he gets into a fun game. You can put all sorts of objects in the room and have him jump over them as you recite the nursery rhyme together. Make one more challenging than the next and be encouraging at his every attempt.
Next time you're making pumpkin pie, turn it into an opportunity to have fun with a well-known nursery rhyme. The Peter, Peter pumpkin eater rhyme, unlike many others, actually originated in the U.S. Once you've made the pumpkin pie, use the hollowed out pumpkin shell in a game. Have your child recite the poem and set up the hollowed out pumpkin half at one end of the room. Find either coins or other tokens you can throw and try to get into the pumpkin. The winner of this game is the person who gets the most coins into the pumpkin. The winner has to then recite the rhyme in order to claim a prize.
The ladybug rhyme is one of the most popular nursery rhymes. It's a great way to introduce children to insects and other creatures that can be found in the garden. Take your toddler out into the garden and search the flowers for ladybugs. If you can't find one, have a stuffed toy ladybug, or a cardboard cut-out ladybug, that you find together. Then release the real or imaginary ladybug while chanting this favorite rhyme.