How to use Rhyme as a language learning tool

Read this in: اردو (Urdu)

Have you ever wondered why we can recall the rhymes from our childhood so vividly? It turns out there is a well-established link between music and rhyme and the development of literary and academic skills. So I thought I should share this incredible information with my bilingual family.

In our adult memory, we are all too familiar with the notoriously famous Baby Shark rhyme. (I can picture my little one singing and gesturing with her hands as I write the name).

What makes the rhymes so rhym-y?

Most, if not all, the rhymes have a few things in common. They involve repetition, patterns, and often high-frequency word usage. In addition, many involve sounds that emphasize movement which needs to be in tune with the sound of words (like Itsy Bitsy spider).

During school time, English poems were part of the curriculum and most of the Urdu ones were written by well-known poets of their time. You basically memorized everything for the exams and then promptly forgot about it as soon as you were done.

Poetry and rhyme

I thought poetry was very intimidating and an ability that you were either born with or needed a tedious amount of training and hard work to do yourself.

While writing deeply meaningful poetry is a skill that needs hard work, I have discovered that rhyming and figuring out the tone of language is an ability we all possess since birth.

Language has an inherent rhythmic characteristic. The beat can vary but there is rhythmicity that you can appreciate (that ability interestingly varies among people, some can pick it up quicker than others).

The music of language

When you look at phrases like “to be or not to be, that is the question’, there is a harmony in the pulse, the way the patterns are repeated, and when you read it out loud, it truly shines in its eloquent simplicity. I will link a detailed article about how language and music compare right here.

These well-recognized qualities are known as ‘phonological awareness’. They make up a very important component of the sound structure of words in any language.

Phonological awareness is the ability to pick out rhymes, syllables, and other components of the sound structure of words. It makes the base for learning how to read. It begins when we are just babies.

The timing of rhyming

So when the babies hear their mother speak to them, they learn to pick up and recognize the sound of words. Later on, when they learn to read, they connect the knowledge of the spoken words to the letters of the written text. This process takes a long time and most of the time, we are not even aware of it consciously.

The amazing part of language is that babies learn to mimic, hear, practice, and then learn to use it by the age of three.

The genetic information allows children to make about 40 sounds and genetic code does not give you the ability to speak Urdu, English or Arabic. It is the sounds that we know that we learn to use in patterns and then associate with things, actions, and ideas that make up language.

How to encourage language learning with rhyming

We are all familiar with little children trying to mimic parents babbling on their toy phones. This is how they are practicing their skills to learn their language.

Repetition is key

Language learning requires a great deal of repetition and active participation to be successful. Being persistent and encouraging children to speak is crucial for them to be able to make the connection between the sounds and the meaning behind words. The prime age for this complex process is the first six years of childhood.

So if the child does not hear many words during this time, or is rarely made a part of the conversation or sung to, this would negatively impact their language usage abilities.

They need to hear to be able to speak.

Cue the rhyme

We remember playing games like hokey pokey and akkar bakkar bumbay bo when we started school. These rhyming games involved either clapping or some other kind of body movement, which would connect the sound of words with an action that is in tune with the rhyme in the words. So recognizing the pattern and following the rhythm is essential to be able to do that

Patterns need practice

Rhymes use patterns and repetition in a predictable manner that helps them tune in to the sound of words. As they continue to practice, they can start making their own rhymes. As they get older, this helps them start decoding.

Decoding means that they are able to break down the sounds that make up the word. For instance, children will start recognizing around kindergarten how to decode the letters by sounding out the word cat as /c/a/t and how it can rhyme with the word hat when you switch out the first alphabet.

Clues in Dr. Suess

This concept is further explored in this article about how reading Dr. Suess helps your child’s development. It has a very interesting study done on babies (in 1980 ) to see if they are soothed by listening to The Cat in the Hat and (Spoiler alert) it works.

There is also tons of research on the role rhythm plays with engaging parts of the brain that need to work together to improve working memory, attention, language processing. In addition, this improves reading and math fluency and the ability to control impulsivity (studied in children with Autism)

I could go on and on about how rhythm is such an important part of our existence. But I will link an article for those who are interested in exploring this further.

Rhyming hacks for bilingual parents

My journey as a bilingual parent accelerated after I discovered the power of rhymes.

My 2-year-old was singing ‘aaloo kachaaloo mian kahan gayay thay’ and with such passion that you would feel deeply for the poor aloo mian.

You do not need any extra equipment to do any kind of rhyme exercise. All you need is a basic repertoire of rhymes and repetition. You can add a physical motion to improve the recall.

Before teaching alphabets, start by learning the rhymes with the kids.

You can clap with the rhythm and as they get better you can ask them to come up with words that rhyme.

For instance, in Urdu you can ask, what rhymes with chai? (laaye, haaye, paaye) 

You will be surprised (pleasantly) at how quickly they will pick it up.

Nudge their brain

As they get comfortable, encourage them to make up their own silly rhymes and sing with them in a made up tune. Do this all in a very playful manner so you get to enjoy the process with them.

Dheere bolo

I highly recommend Dheere bolo on Patari. They have a whole bunch of rhymes in Urdu, with themes like opposites, days of the week etc.

I am linking my playlist here so you can get an idea. It is a teacher-led project and we absolutely love their songs for car rides.

Some all-time famous rhymes

Another channel we like to watch for rhymes on youtube is called MUSE. They have videos on the alphabet as well.

Link to utho beta aankhain kholo

Aloo mian aloo mian kahan gayay thay

Abu laaye motor car

Chuchu chuchu chacha

I am adding two more rhymes in the resource library as printables. Enjoy!

I can tell you from experience that rhymes are such an easy way to have fun with learning your language and they go a long way in teaching so many important skills.

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Please share using the buttons and tag me on Instagram with #urdukacove #urdurhymes

Read this in: اردو (Urdu)