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Singing songs with a baby is a great way to encourage their early communication. It helps the bond between adult and child, supports brain development and also language development as it increases access to key words and sounds.
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How does this nursery rhyme help?
Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes can helpwith language development as they learn to imitate the adult singing the song and learn to name parts of their body. Moving to music together helps children link their actions to other people’s. Learning music supports development of mathematical thinking which can help them prepare for education.
This song can help with their gross motor skills as they are using their different parts of their body to do the actions. It can help them with their balance, coordination and muscle development. You may find that this song develops your child’s listening skills as there are parts of the body to remember. The repetitive nature of the song can help develop their memory.
The parent or caregiver can help their smaller children with simple movements such as putting them on their lap and doing the relevant actions. As your baby gets older, they will be able to do more movements and actions independently.
Rhyme lyrics
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Further Resources
If you would like further support and advice, you can contact our free confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222 (Monday to Friday, 9am–9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am–3pm).
You can also use our online chat to talk to a trained family support worker, or visit our forums to chat with other parents and carers.
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