Nursery rhymes have always been one of the best ways to get your toddler to sleep. They are soothing, have long verses and convey many messages to the kid. Though these are nursery rhymes, they bring a world of benefits for the kid.
Nursery rhymes and its benefits
Nursery rhymes can provide several benefits for children when it comes to sleep. Here are some of the benefits of nursery rhymes for sleep for kids:
Soothing and calming
Nursery rhymes often have a slow and soothing melody that can help to calm children and prepare them for sleep. The repetition of words and phrases can also help create a sense of predictability and comfort, reassuring for children.
Encourages a bedtime routine
Incorporating nursery rhymes into a child’s bedtime routine can help to create a consistent and calming routine that can signal to a child that it’s time for sleep.
Promotes language development
Nursery rhymes often use simple and repetitive language, which can help to promote language development in young children. Singing along with nursery rhymes can help children to develop their vocabulary, memory, and listening skills.
Best nursery rhymes about sleep
Rock-a-bye Baby
This is a classic lullaby that many parents sing to their children. It talks about rocking the baby in a tree and gently putting them to sleep. Here’s the lyrics-
Rock a bye Baby in the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all
Baby is drowsing, cozy and fair
Mother sits near in her rocking chair
Forward and back the cradle she swings
Though baby sleeps, he hears what she sings
Rock a bye Baby, do not you fear
Never mind, Baby, Mother is near
Wee little fingers, eyes are shut tight
Now sound asleep until morning light
Hush Little Baby
This is another classic lullaby that talks about a mother trying to soothe her crying baby. It offers a series of promises to the child, such as a mockingbird that will sing them to sleep or a diamond ring when they’re older. Here are the lyrics-
Hush little baby don’t say a word,
Mama’s going to buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Mama’s going to buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns to brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat gets cross,
Mama’s gonna buy you a rocking horse.
And if that rocking horse turns over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
All the Pretty Little Horses
This song talks about a child riding on a horse and drifting off to sleep. It has a soft, calming melody that makes it a popular lullaby. Here’s the lyrics-
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry.
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays, dapples and grays,
Coach and six-a-little horses.
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry.
Go to sleepy little baby.
Sleep, Baby, Sleep
This song offers a series of instructions to the child to help them fall asleep. It talks about closing their eyes, lying down, and dreaming sweet dreams. Here are the lyrics of this nursery rhyme-
“You go there!”
“You go there!”
“You go there!
“Good night, Piggy!”
“Good night, Teddy!”
“Good night, Floppy!”
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Your father’s watching his sheep.
Your mother shakes the dreamland tree.
A little dream falls down for tree.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
The skies are full of sheep.
The little stars are the lambs, I guess.
The bright moon is the shepherdess.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Goodnight, Sleep Tight
This is a short and crisp but yet melodious nursery rhyme that encourages kids to sleep and wake up fresh in the morning sun. Here are the lyrics-
Goodnight, Sleep Tight.
Hope the bug’s don’t bite!
Wake up bright in the morning light.
To do what’s right with all your might.
Beddy-Bye Butterfly
As kids are fascinated with butterflies, what could be better than a butterfly leading them to sleep through this beautiful rhyme! Check out the lyrics here-
High above the forest
in the night sky.
The stars are shining brightly,
time for Beddy-Bye.
Star flew down to owl,
who hooted and said,
“let’s say good night to all our friends
and put them all to bed.”
Beddy-bye, butterfly
tuck into your flower.
Dream butterfly dreams
‘till the morning hour.
Beddy-bye, baby bear
lay down in your den,
until the sun rises
and it’s morning again.
Beddy-bye, bunny rabbit
close your eyes and dream
of all the games tomorrow
we will play by the stream.
Beddy-bye, little squirrel
curl up in your nest.
You gathered acorns all day long
and now it’s time to rest.
Beddy-bye, slith’ry snake
curl up nice and tight.
We’ll meet again tomorrow
in the early morning light.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
This song is often used as a lullaby and talks about a star shining in the night sky. It has a soothing melody that helps children relax and fall asleep. Here are the lyrics-
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Hop Little Bunnies
When your toddler doesn’t want to go to bed early, this song will surely make him dance and move! And here’s the secret, with all these moves, he/she will fall asleep even faster as they get tired! Here are the lyrics to this cute nursery rhyme-
See the bunnies sleeping,
Till it’s nearly noon.
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
They’re so still,
Are they ill?
Wake up little bunnies.
Hop little bunnies,
Hop hop hop, hop hop hop,
Hop hop hop.
Hop little bunnies,
Hop hop hop hop hop hop.
See the bunnies sleeping,
Till it’s nearly noon.
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
They’re so still,
Are they ill?
Wake up little bunnies.
Jump little bunnies,
Jump jump jump, jump jump jump,
Jump jump jump.
Jump little bunnies,
Jump jump jump jump jump jump.
Bed In Summer
This classic nursery rhyme focuses on the seasons and the right time to go to bed in the summer. Here is the lyrics for this rhyme-
In winter I get up at night,
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see,
The birds still hopping on the tree.
Or hear the grown-up people’s feet,
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?
I’m a former teacher with a background in child development and a passion for creating engaging and educational activities for children. I strongly understand child development and know how to create activities to help children learn and grow. Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and volunteering in my community.