What happens at Rhythm & Rhyme
Family Time?

Each group of parents with their children (between the ages of birth to 3 years) meet with the facilitators once per week for eight to ten weeks. The atmosphere is relaxed. There is time for socializing before and after the hour of teaching.

The teaching is directed at the parents with the children joining in, playing or napping. Childcare is provided for children who wander out of the circle.

Sitting in a circle on the floor, parents learn rhymes and songs that lead naturally to holding, touching and bouncing the children. Facilitators encourage the parents to:

	use language with their children from infancy
	look directly at their children, making eye contact
	accurately observe what their children do
	notice what other children are doing
	share stories, songs and rhymes from their culture
	share how they used the songs and rhymes successfully

What are the benefits?

A growing body of research illustrates that:

	children who have a strong oral foundation in their early years are more ready to learn reading and writing once they enter school
	children who have strong, close relationships with their parents are more likely to withstand the pressures of society
	there is a strong link between children’s early experiences with oral language and the development of critical literacy skills
	children learn language by using language in play and storytelling activities
	children who are exposed to pre-literacy skills at a very young age develop a “literate orientation”

Rhythm and Rhyme Family Time helps parents to:

	gain confidence as learners and as parents
	relax and experience new pleasures with their children
	experience the group as a supportive resource
	gain appreciation of how important oral activities are in developing future literacy skills
	gain skills in supporting their children’s language development
	develop more realistic expectations of their children
	understand how they can positively affect their children’s learning and behavior

*If you would like to see the Rhythm and Rhyme Family Time partners, please click here.*