Nursery Rhymes Research Articles

Reassessing Early Childhood Literature for Quality Education and Gender Equality in the Context Of SDGs

Objective: The objective is to study the gender stereotypes learnt knowingly or unknowingly by children through nursery rhymes and to highlight the problematic areas to revamp for providing quality education which focuses on a more gender equal society considering the Sustainable Development Goals. Theoratical Framework: We engage in the theory of social construction by Butler and the developmental theory of Vygotsky to propose that if the literature taught in childhood is rich and diverse the chances of developing gender sterotypes by individuals reduces to a great extent. Method: The focus of the study is the nursery rhymes taught at pre-schools and primary schools. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaire with teachers at various schools in Ahmedabad (a city in the state of Gujarat, India). The method of critical discourse analysis is used to analyse the rhymes and bring forth the implicit gender hegemony. Results & Discussion: The analysis underscores the subtle yet potent role of language, especially nursery rhymes, in reinforcing traditional gender norms and expectations, thus influencing children's understanding of appropriate behaviours based on gender. The study highlights gender stereotypes, particularly about the interaction of one gender with the other, focusing on the depiction of dependency and power dynamics in relationships. It depicts women as dependent and men as dominant reflecting societal gender inequalities. Research implications: This study calls for a reassessment of nursery rhymes to promote diversity and positive values through quality education, urging educators to update content to align with modern views on gender equality. Originality/ Value: There has not been sufficient research done on nursery rhymes taught in schools with the aim of reducing/removing gender stereotypes aiming for quality education with the goal of achieving a gender fair society in the context of Sustainable Development Goals.

SỬ DỤNG PHƯƠNG PHÁP DẠY HỌC ÂM NHẠC ORFF-SCHULWERK ĐỂ PHÁT TRIỂN NĂNG LỰC DẠY HỌC TÍCH HỢP CHO SINH VIÊN SƯ PHẠM ÂM NHẠC

Using the Orff-Schulwerk method in music teaching at high school levels has created an experiential learning environment that not only helps students develop musical knowledge but also brings educational experiences. diverse and rich but also contributes to helping students develop comprehensively and have flexible thinking in the learning process. Therefore, this research article points out the principles of music teaching according to the Orff-Schulwerk method and focuses on analyzing and using nursery rhymes and folk songs in the lesson design process. From there, deploy lectures for music pedagogy students according to Orff-Schulwer's teaching method to develop integrated teaching capacity for music pedagogy students.

Lexical Analysis of Japanese Children’s Songs from the Perspective of Japanese Language Education

Japanese children's songs can be a valuable resource for adult learners of the language, Firstly, the vocabulary used in children's songs is predominantly high-frequency and foundational, with a large portion falling below the N2 proficiency level. By mastering the words and phrases found in these songs, learners can expand their conversational abilities beyond the confines of traditional textbooks. Secondly, the songs offer a balanced representation of positive, negative, and neutral emotions, reflecting the emotional range and nuances of the Japanese language. This exposure to diverse emotional expressions can enrich learners' understanding of language and cultural nuances. Moreover, the study's semantic analysis reveals frequent word associations and co-occurrences, which can help learners grasp the interconnectedness of Japanese vocabulary and the cultural contexts in which words are used. Importantly, children's songs are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, indirectly exposing learners to various cultural aspects, such as the appreciation of nature, the concept of transience, and the importance of harmony and interconnectedness. This cultural immersion can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese values and traditions. Furthermore, the familiar melodies and sing-along nature of these songs can facilitate social bonding and interpersonal connections among learners and native speakers. Engaging in shared cultural experiences, such as singing nursery rhymes together, can create a sense of community and strengthen the bond between learners and the target language culture.

Time to rhyme!

Karen Hart, writer, early years practitioner and drama teacher, shares ways other practitioners can use and encorporate nursery rhymes into their practice to foster language and communication skills and support other areas of the EYFS.

Deliberate synchronization of speech and gesture: effects of neurodiversity and development

Abstract The production of speech and gesture is exquisitely temporally coordinated. In autistic individuals, speech-gesture synchrony during spontaneous discourse is disrupted. To evaluate whether this asynchrony reflects motor coordination versus language production processes, the current study examined deliberately performed hand movements during speech in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to neurotypical youth. Neurotypical adult performance provided a mature baseline. Participants read aloud rhythmic nursery rhymes, while producing a beat-like hand movement. An automated pixel-change video measure identified kinematic peaks; using smoothed acoustic envelope analyses, we identified peaks in speech. Results indicated few diagnostic group differences in explicit speech-movement coordination, although adolescent performance differed from adults. Adults demonstrated higher tempo and greater rhythmicity in their coordination; this group difference suggests that the method is sufficiently subtle to reveal individual differences and that this form of complex coordination undergoes ongoing maturation beyond adolescence. The sample is small, and thus results are necessarily preliminary. In the context of prior speech-gesture coordination studies, these findings of intact synchrony are consistent with the hypothesis that it is the demands of discourse planning, rather than motor coordination, that have led to prior findings of asynchrony during spontaneous speech; this possibility awaits future research.

The Early Reading and Music partnership

There is broad agreement, in relation to the high gravitas of ‘the big six’ in teaching early reading, the pillars of effective reading instruction (Moats, 1999; NRP, 2000; Konza, 2014). Notwithstanding, there exists a body of evidence that indicates the arts, in particular music, enhance and motivate other learning, helping young children to become readers. This suggests the explicit teaching of early reading and music together can yield powerful learning for students, the conflation of which improves and accelerates both reading and music mastery. This research investigates whether participation in music instruction has beneficial effects on young children’s learning and acquisition of early reading skills; specifically, if a link exists between early reading and music acquisition. There are three parts to this research: a) literature review; b) email surveys/ semi structured interviews; c) classroom observations. Results suggest that music serves as a natural bridge to literacy, strengthening auditory processing, and scaffolding learning phonemes and graphemes. Music aids memory because the beat, melody and harmony carry semantic content, clarifying meaning. Children learn with less effort and remember information more easily when rhyme and rhythm are present. Nursery rhymes, poems and action songs engage children through playing with language, suggesting that a transdisciplinary pedagogical approach is a potential solution to challenges currently faced in education in relation to disengagement from traditional schooling and declining reading levels. An early reading and music partnership is an approach to learning that may benefit young learners along the road to becoming readers.

Nursery Rhyme, Rhythm and Narrative Thinking in Early Childhood Education

The contribution focuses on the effectiveness of nursery rhymes, music, and storytelling in early childhood education. Various research studies carried out over the past twenty years have demostrated the way in which the use of rhythm, music, and storytelling can facilitate the development of a child’s overall personality. This study examines the impact of incorporating silent books into early childhood education to enhance a child’s language skills, social interaction, and cognitive development. Over the course of one month, teachers assessed the progress of young children in various domains, including vocabulary acquisition, narrative fluency, and peer interaction. The results highlight the importance of providing diverse opportunities for play with stories, images, and music in supporting holistic development in young children. By integrating these rich experiences into early education practices, educators can effectively nurture linguistic, social, and emotional competencies, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

Reflective Questions: Promoting Metacognition Through Discussion Board Prompts

During two semesters, a numerical methods course for mechanical engineering students at a large US southeastern university used discussion board questions to promote reflection and metacognition. The course covered eight chapters, each with a related discussion question. The students could choose to answer these questions and receive 2% extra credit for the course. This was intended to help the students who missed some of the 30 online homework assignments that comprised 15% of the final course grade. The questions were also meant to encourage the students to think deeply and creatively. The students could see other students’ responses after they posted their own. The questions ranged from making a meme, writing a nursery rhyme, and explaining a complex or easy concept. Only 64% of the total possible responses were submitted by students, and there was a small-to-medium practical but no statistical significance between the levels of participation among the high- or low-performing students. The submissions were analyzed and determined to be at the low level of Bloom’s taxonomy. They identified complex topics to inform future instruction.

Characteristics and treatment outcomes of musical tinnitus: a prospective study

PurposeTinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source, affects millions worldwide. Although its origin may be organic or psychological, musical tinnitus (hearing music in the absence of external stimuli) presents a distinct challenge. This study investigated musical tinnitus, focusing on its clinical profile, treatment outcomes, and associated psychiatric symptoms.MethodsThe demographics, auditory perceptions, psychiatric history, and treatment response of 20 patients with musical tinnitus were prospectively evaluated. Sound therapy using hearing aids and tinnitus counselling were administered. Data were collected using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness and distress, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsOf the 20 patients who underwent these tests every year until the 2-year follow-up, 15 were able to follow a sound therapy treatment regimen with hearing aids for > 2 years. The results revealed the prevalence of musical tinnitus in older women with hearing loss, emphasising its association with aging and the female sex. Patients reported varied musical content, predominantly nursery rhymes and melodies originating from the ear or head. No significant psychiatric symptoms were observed; this contrasts with previous reports linking musical hallucinations and psychiatric disorders. Sound therapy using hearing aids and counselling led to significant improvements in THI, VAS, and STAI-state scores at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, suggesting the efficacy of this approach. However, no significant changes were noted in SDS or STAI-trait scores, indicating a lack of prominent depressive tendencies and stable anxiety traits.ConclusionsMusical tinnitus primarily affects older women with hearing loss and responds favourably to sound therapy. Understanding its clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes is crucial for optimising patient care and enhancing quality of life.

Critical Discourse Analysis of Neleng Neng Kung Nursery Rhyme: A Well-being Perspective on Mepende as a Sundanese Local Wisdom

This research aims to identify Neleng Neng Kung nursery rhyme from the perspective of a child’s well being. Child well-being is currently facing threats due to several factors, mainly the crisis of dominant values from modernization (identically to the westernization). Adding to the factor is the change in the current Western dominance in science and knowledge. In the child well-being context, each ethnic group has childcare traditions, specifically for nursery rhymes. Various studies have touched on this subject, but none of them relate to child well-being. Therefore, this study aims to cover the relation of Neleng Neng Kung as a nursery rhyme with child well being. This research uses the Norman Fairclough model of Critical Discourse Analysis, which includes three steps: description, interpretation, and explanation, and the UNICEF framework for child well being. The conclusion shows that the local wisdom covers a part of the child well-being framework and centers well-being to social relations. Physical and intellectual aspects must be guided by social ones. Keywords: child well-being, local wisdom, nursery rhyme

Using Media to Stimulate Babies’ Language Activities Development

As the digital age continues to reshape educational paradigms, it is essential to investigate the purposeful integration of media into infants’ lives to enhance language acquisition “Harmonizing Voices” explores how age-appropriate media, such as videos, apps, and interactive content, can complement traditional methods, providing infants with a multi-sensory and engaging platform for language exploration. Today, various strategies are employed to stimulate babies from pregnancy through infancy, with mothers increasingly using media as a tool. This includes playing music during pregnancy and introducing nursery rhymes through media post-birth to create a sensory -rich environment. This study investigates the synergy between the melodic allure of English nursery rhymes and intricate process of a baby’s linguistic development. Digital platforms like YouTube and Netflix offer numerous nursery rhymes, such as Cocomelon and Bebefinn, which are popular among infants. This research aims to evaluate which of these nursery rhymes programs is more effective in stimulating infants and which elicits more positive reactions. Caregivers, educators, and researchers will gain insights into the connections between musicality, language and early cognitive development through this exploration. The study addresses the identification of high quality media content, strategies for joint engagement between caregivers and infants, and the potential impact of media on various facets of language development. By fostering an environment where technology harmonizes with natural language acquisition processes, this research aspires to contribute valuable insights for educators, caregivers, and researchers. The objective of this study is to observe and compare infants’ reactions to two popular nursery rhyme programs, Cocomelon and Bebefinn. The research aims to identify which program stimulates more positive engagement, thereby providing a deeper understanding of infants’ preferences and the effectiveness of media content in early language development.

Understanding the nexus between rhyme, rhythm and happiness in Bengali chharas (nursery rhymes)

ABSTRACT The paper explores the nexus between rhyme, rhythm and happiness in Bengali chharas while justifying the latter as the defining attribute of the verses. Chharas are short, happy Bengali rhymes. Elementary chharas, particularly, are designed for children yet to grow language and social awareness and manifest as affectionate interpersonal interactions between a caregiver and a child. The children's positive responses to these verses, despite their maturity, indicate the embedded joy being well grasped. Given this background, rhyme and rhythm are observed to make the language playful, enhancing the children's appreciation and involvement with the verses while contributing to the chharas’ happiness quotient. Through a discourse pragmatic methodology that emphasizes the speaker, listener and their interpersonal relationships, the various sources of fun and happiness in elementary chharas are analyzed, and the crucial contribution of rhyme and rhythm in determining pleasure and delight in elementary chharas is thus established.

Pengenalan Kosakata Bahasa Inggris Sederhana melalui Nursery Rhymes bagi Siswa TK A

The golden age makes early childhood students quickly learn something, both in everyday terms and in language learning, including learning foreign languages. This is what makes nursery rhymes become one of the options for learning foreign languages for early childhood. This activity aims to provide an initial introduction to simple English vocabulary through movements and songs using nursery rhymes. This activity is a series of activities carried out during Parents Week where parents play the role of teachers on special days. This community service activity is carried out in several stages, namely preparation, discussion, and core activities. Kindergarten students were enthusiastic and happy during the activity. Through this activity, it can be concluded that nursery rhymes have proven to be effective for use in learning in Kindergarten A, in accordance with the results of previous research.

The Impact of Nursery Rhymes on Enhancing Speaking Skills of Grade Three and Four Students

This action research study examined the impact of nursery rhymes on enhancing the speaking skills of grade three and four students. The study was conducted in an elementary school setting, with a focus on identifying whether the incorporation of nursery rhymes into the curriculum could effectively improve the speaking abilities of young learners. The study employed a quantitative approach involving pre-test and post-test. The study began by assessing the speaking skills of grade three and four students through pre-tests, which included tasks such as pronunciation, vocabulary, fluency and confidence. The findings of this action research suggest that nursery rhymes have a positive impact on enhancing the speaking skills of grade three and four students. The quantitative analysis post-test result revealed a significant improvement in students' speaking abilities after the integration of nursery rhymes into the curriculum. This research highlights the potential benefits of incorporating nursery rhymes into elementary education as a means to enhance speaking skills. The study provides valuable insights for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers interested in improving language education for grade three and four students. Further, research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of nursery rhyme integration and its applicability in diverse educational contexts.

Evaluation of the use of Music as a Distraction Technique on Dental Anxiety of Children – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: The delivery of dental treatment might be negatively impacted by a child’s unwillingness to cooperate. Judging a behavior-guiding strategy that successfully lowers fear and anxiety during dental treatment, results in a change in the child’s attitude toward the treatment, and is also accepted by the parents is necessary given the variety of behavior management strategies that are available. While conventional techniques of behavior modification have been effective, parents’ and dental professionals’ attitudes regarding them are evolving. New nonaversive approaches that are acceptable to parents are thus required. One such approach that may find favor with parents and dental professionals is music therapy. Methods: Pertinent medical databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched from January 1, 2001, to April 20, 2023, for randomized controlled trials and clinical studies that used music and no music (control) in children undergoing dental treatment. Primary outcomes included a decrease in pulse rate as measured through pulse oximeter in children undergoing dental treatment. Results: Through search strategy and screening through titles and abstracts, four randomized clinical trials (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation [GRADE] high certainty) and eight nonrandomized studies (GRADE high certainty) were included and the pooled results bared that the music pulse rate was significantly reduced in children who were made to listen to the music than those who did not listen to music during dental treatment. Conclusion: It was established that music distraction was a better behavior management technique as compared to no music group and instrumental music was better when compared to the nursery rhyme for anxiety reduction in children.

Lexical Density of Nursery Rhymes in Translation From English Into Indonesian

Cocomelon is a popular animated series for kids with billions of viewers on YouTube, filled with fun songs and stories that both entertain and teach. Because it is watched by children all over the world, Cocomelon has been translated into many languages, including Indonesian. Translating these videos isn't just about swapping words from one language to another, it involves careful thinking about the differences in language and culture to make sure the content stays meaningful and relatable for kids everywhere. This paper explains the concept of equivalence that exists at the word level in translations in the English and Indonesian versions of children's songs with a focus on the challenges faced by translators and the strategies used to overcome these challenges. Mona Bakar's framework on non-equivalence and studies that examine issues such as culturally specific concepts, grammatical differences, semantic complexity as well as the use of idiomatic expressions, comprehensive analysis of lexical density. Selected songs such as “Wheels on the Bus,” “Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star,” “Bath Song,” and “Old MacDonald” are revealing in the visible differences between the English versions. and Indonesia in its findings show that the Indonesian version has a high lexical density and is an indication that more words are needed to convey the same meaning.

Characterizing a regional fishery ecosystem trajectory: the Humpty Dumpty fish tale of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico from 1986 to 2013

Showcasing the fishery ecosystem trajectory framework, this study seeks to understand the complex interplay between environmental, socioeconomic, and management factors in a large marine ecosystem as they relate to the status, structure, and function of living marine resources over time. Utilizing this framework, a historical accounting of a fishery ecosystem’s shifting stable states can be developed to describe the evolution of resources and identify apparent temporal controls. To that end, approximately three decades of data, spanning 1986–2013, were drawn from the 2017 ecosystem status report for the United States’ Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and used here as a case study. Analyses revealed a capricious system with ten unique fishery regime states over the 28-year period. The fishery ecosystem trajectory was broadly characterized by gradual and persistent changes, likely fueled by exploitation trends. However, a mid-1990s paradigm shift in the dynamics controlling the system-wide organization of resources resulted in an apparent recovery trajectory before leading to continued differentiation relative to its 1986 baseline configuration. This “Humpty Dumpty” ecosystem trajectory signifies permanent alterations akin to the nursery rhyme protagonist’s unrecoverable fall. Anthropogenic factors identified as influential to resource organization included artificial reef prevalence and recreational fishing pressure, while regional effects of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation’s warm phase transition after 1995 and rising sea surface temperatures in the GoM were also deemed notable. Conspicuously, the paradigm shift timing was coincident with effective implementation of annual catch limits due to the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act, highlighting the importance of the robust regulatory environment in this region. While these results describe the GoM fishery ecosystem’s vulnerability to shifting environmental and socioeconomic conditions, they also underscore its resources’ resilience, likely rooted in their complexity and diversity, to the rapidly evolving pressures observed throughout the study period. This work emphasizes the necessity of cautious, adaptive management strategies for large marine ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate-related uncertainties and species’ differential responses. It provides insight into the GoM fishery ecosystem’s dynamics and illustrates a transferable approach for informing ecosystem-based management strategies, sustainable practices, and decision making focused on preserving ecologically, economically, and culturally vital marine resources.

Unraveling minnan imagery: a comprehensive analysis of traditional and modern minnan nursery rhymes through complex networks

Nursery rhymes provide insights into the traditions, beliefs, and values of a culture, thereby making it an integral part of a community’s heritage. As representative linguistic resources within the intangible cultural heritage of the Hoklo people, Minnan nursery rhymes (MNRs) play a crucial role in connecting the Chinese mainland, Taiwan Strait, and overseas Chinese communities. This study delves into features of 617 traditional and 289 modern pieces through text mining techniques, including text segmentation, the TF-IDF (term frequency-inverse document frequency) method, and the complex network analysis. We examine the frequency and emotional purity of lyrics at a larger scale than previous studies using a small set of manually annotated samples. Furthermore, we analyze the patterns of MNRs by assessing the overall, individual, core-periphery structures of the constructed MNR networks, considering key terms as nodes and co-occurrence relationships between nodes as links. Our investigation reveals the heterogeneous nature of terms in both traditional and modern MNR networks. Moreover, through the community detection method, we identify five primary imagery features presented in MNRs. Traditional MNRs place emphasis on family relationships, folk culture, and food culture, reflecting enduring aspects of Minnan cultural heritage. In contrast, modern MNRs pivot towards themes of children’s emotions and natural scenery, indicative of evolving societal values. This study represents the first large-scale complex network analysis of MNRs, providing valuable insights into the embedded Minnan culture and serving as a foundation for further research into the societal dynamics reflected in these cherished MNRs resources.

Pengaruh Nursery Rhymes terhadap Kemampuan Kosakata Reseptif pada Anak Usia Prasekolah di TK Negeri Pembina Trenggalek

Abstract Background: Nursery Rhymes is a song that is specifically made for children, that range from simple but happy notes and consist of lyrics that have specific meaning. While some rhymes seem designed purely to amuse, others are didactic and educational. Educational experts believe that nursery rhymes can sharpen children’s language skills. Through nursery rhymes, children can learn and understand many new vocabulary. Objectives: This study aims to find out the effect of nursery rhymes on receptive vocabulary skills in preschool children at TK Negeri Pembina Trenggalek. Methods: This study is a quantitative study with cross-sectional design. The sampling technique used in this study was purposive sampling with 52 respondents. The instruments used in this study were a nursery rhymes usage questionnaire and a receptive vocabulary skills test (Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test). The statistical test used in this study was Kendall's Tau. Results: The result of Kendall's Tau test showed a ρ value of 0.001 (ρ < 0.05) and a correlation strength of 0.428. This means that there is an effect of nursery rhymes on receptive vocabulary skills, with moderate correlation strength and positive correlation direction. That is, the more often children use nursery rhymes, the higher receptive vocabulary skills they have. Conclusion: There is an effect of nursery rhymes on receptive vocabulary skills in preschool children at TK Negeri Pembina Trenggalek. Keyword: nursery rhymes, receptive vocabulary skills, preschool children

The Use of Nursery Rhymes to Improve Young Learners’ English Listening Skills at Primary Education

The Use of Nursery Rhymes to Improve Young Learners’ English Listening Skills at Primary Education