Classic Nursery Rhymes Every Kid Should Know

Nursery rhymes are not just some silly songs we sing to get kids busy. They may look so simple and silly but they are mostly packed with basic educational information for kids.

If you go down memory lane, for most of us who are now parents, it is those nursery rhymes that first taught us the basic things we knew about life. Not only that, they are our first introduction to rhythm and tunes, apart from lullabies that were sung to us as babies.

Nursery rhymes impart knowledge and moral lessons children and every child should be allowed to learn and to sing them. To make your work easier as a parent, we have selected some evergreen classic nursery rhymes every kid should know.

1. My Head, My Shoulders, My Knees, My toes 

This is one of the first I learned personally when I was a kid. It still resonates with strength in my memory. This is a classic nursery rhyme that teaches children about their basic body parts. This Rhyme helps teach kids the sovereignty of God.

2. Old McDonald Had a Farm 

There is no better way to introduce your children to animals and nature than with a nursery rhyme like Old McDonald Had a Farm. It gets them thinking and imagining all the animals that are listed in this rhyme, their names and the sounds they make, helping them realize that animals live in different habitats.

3. Rain, Rain, Go Away

Oh, I love this one too. It is one of my niece’s favorite rhymes and used to be one of my favorites as a child. This is another classic nursery rhyme that you can use to teach your kids that it is okay to feel sad and express your feelings. 

4. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

This is one rhyme to get your kids introduced to counting the numbers 1 to 10. It exposes them first hand to rhythms, rhymes, and numbers. It is a great and fun way for kids to learn their figures.

5. Humpty Dumpty

If you want to give your kids a twist to life and help them know that finding solutions to problems is always the smartest way, then teach them Humpty Dumpty. This classic nursery rhyme is one that every child should learn. This is because the rhyme itself is an impossible and imaginary problem with endless solutions.

6. Row, Row, Row your Boat

Life can be easy and calm if you know how to mind your business. There is no better way to get kids to understand this endless truth. I got to appreciate this rhyme more after reaching adulthood, life is just but a dream.

7. Mary Had a Little Lamb

This nursery rhyme was written by Thomas Edison and was the first words that are ever recorded on a phonograph. The story had it that the nursery rhyme was inspired by a little girl named Mary Sawyer who had a little lamb. Mary took her lamb to school one day. Whatever happened to Mary and her lamb are still questions that require answers. Regardless of that, Mary Had a Little Lamb remains one of the best classic rhymes that has ever been written or sang.

8. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

This was adapted from a 19th-century poem written by Jane Taylor and has become one of the most popular nursery rhymes to date, even Mozart had to compose this rhyme. This rhyme has a way of arousing curiosity in your kids about one of the wonders of creation, the Star.

9. Jack and Jill 

There are some nursery rhymes that we can’t just forget and one of them is the story of Jack and Jill who are mischievous siblings who found their way to the top of the hill, going through all the stress, only to roll back down.

10. Itsy Bitsy Spider 

This is another classic that teaches resilience to your kids, that if you persist, you will get results. This is why this nursery rhyme has become so popular and so fun.

Since the minds of little children are active and ready to take in every detail you send in, there is no better way to get them engaged and informed than through the above classic nursery rhymes every kid should know.

You can teach them one at a time till they learn them all. There are also a ton more you can find online, such that are educative and informative. You can even buy them videos where these rhymes are sung to keep the words resonating in their minds always.