Illustrated Nursery Rhyme Cards

Step by step

1. 1Print 4 to 6 cards showing nursery rhymes you already know and love.
2. 2Sit down with your baby, laying the cards out or fanning them in front of them.
3. 3Offer two cards: whichever one baby touches or stares at is the winner.
4. 4Sing the chosen rhyme with the hand motions, keeping eye contact.
5. 5Offer another choice as long as they stay interested. If they keep tapping the exact same card, sing it again—it's their show!
6. 6Keep the cards in the same spot and play every day around the same time (like right before naptime).

What it builds

Picking a song by pointing to a picture is a baby's first step into 'reading': they learn that pictures carry meaning and can trigger real actions. Plus, getting to control their little world is the ultimate thrill at this age.