Mother Goose Monday! Why Mother Goose?

Why Mother Goose?

"E.D. Hirsh Jr, in his book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know (Houghton Mifflin 1987), suggested that there is a body of knowledge that all Americans need to know to function as literate citizens. The rhymes of Mother Goose have traditionally been a part of the heritage of children growing up in America no matter what their ethnic background" (Bauer 12).

We know that this is not the case when it comes to today's children's heritage. Nursery rhymes seem to have, for the most part, become an "endangered species!" In her book, The Poetry Break, Caroline Feller Bauer comments on how our society has made the effort to protect animal species that are endangered. She points out, "we may have to take organized action to preserve the childhood tradition of nursery rhymes" (12). I believe that today's children (and even many adults) do not know the joys of the traditional verses that are Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. "Children starting school today are more likely to be conversant with the exploits of the current cartoon characters on film and television than with the adventures of Humpty Dumpty" (Bauer 12).

I  always integrated Nursery Rhymes into our daily lives when my children were babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and sometimes, even now (they are now 10 & 12 but aren't as receptive as they once were!).  

Sienna at age 4, eating her peas with honey!

Sarah at age 2, also eating her peas with honey!

 I eat my peas with honey.
I've done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But they stay on the knife!

Let's get started with the effort to preserve the "endangered species" of nursery rhymes! Join with me in the force! Read and recite those rhymes!

Works Cited: Bauer, Caroline Feller. The Poetry Break An Annotated Anthology With Ideas for Introducing Children to Poetry. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1994. Print.