Bradford: Rhyme and action songs for this year’s Rhyme Challenge

Monday, 9 January 2023 08:55

Bradford Council's Libraries Service has announced the rhyme and action songs for this year's Rhyme Challenge, including the Yorkshire favourite Wind The Bobbin Up.

Families will also be able to join in with the action song Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in both English and Punjabi, along with favourite finger-plays such as Here is the Beehive and Tommy Thumb, which are all part in this annual challenge for children under five.

The Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge sees parents and children learning five rhymes together to join in the fun with the reward of a certificate for taking part.

Parents and children learning rhymes together can help young children create social bonds, develop speech and language and also be a foundation for later emerging reading skills.

Over 6,000 people in Bradford including children under five and their parents took part in the challenge in 2021/22 and Bradford Libraries are hoping this number can be beaten in 2022/23.

Families can take the challenge between January and March this year at the following libraries throughout the Bradford district:

Bingley Library at 2.15pm on Thursday 12, 19, 26 January and 2 February
Burley Library at 9.30am on Tuesday 10, 17, 24 and 31 January
City Library at 10am on Wednesday 25 January and 1, 8, 15 February
Eccleshill Library at 2pm on Monday 16, 23, 30 January and 6 February
Heaton Hub Library at 11.30am on Thursday 9, 16, 23, 30 March
Ilkley Library at 10am on Thursday 12, 19, 26 January and 2 February
Keighley Library at 11am on Saturday 4, 11, 18, 25 February
Laisterdyke Library on 9.30am and 10.30am on Tuesday 28 February and 7, 14, 21 March
Manningham Library at 1.30pm on Friday 20, 27 January and 3, 10 February
Shipley Library at 9.15am and 9.50am on Wednesday 18, 25 January and 1, 8 February
Thornton Library at 11am on Wednesday 22 February and 1, 8, 15 March
Wibsey Library at 10am on Monday 30 January and 6, 13, 20 February
Wyke Library at 2pm on Tuesday 7, 14, 21, 28 March

The challenge devised by Bradford Council’s library service will also be taking place in toddler groups, pre-schools, nurseries, schools and family hubs across the district.

There is also a prize draw for families to enter with prizes such as Gruffalo Story Sacks and Nursery Rhyme Puppet Sets.

Parents wanting to take part in the challenge can attend the sessions at the local library or speak to their nursery, toddler group or childcare provider.

Staff and volunteers working with the children will also be in with a chance to win one of Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Awards. In 2021/22 awards were given for best practice in libraries, toddler groups, family hubs and nurseries, along with a special individual award.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: "Our libraries are great places with so much to offer for people of all ages. The annual Rhyme Challenge is a great way for children under 5 to develop speech and language skills and is an excellent start for their journey to a life-long love of reading."

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

Remix Saturdays

Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm
Legal Show

Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.
Bhangra Nights

Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.