Why nursery rhymes are in danger of dying out

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Traditional verses such as Humpty Dumpty are in danger of dying out because mothers and fathers are singing pop songs to their children instead, it is claimed.

More than a quarter of parents polled for a survey admitted they cannot remember a single rhyme.

And while research suggests that singing to children can give them a head start at school, 37 per cent of parents said they rarely gave voice.

Of those who did, 38 per cent favour pop songs.

The survey, for the pre-school channel Cartoonito, questioned more than 1,200 parents across Britain, of whom only 12 per cent could recall three or more nursery rhymes in full.

Parents in London and the Midlands were least likely to know a complete rhyme, while those in the South West and Wales were most well-versed.

Mothers and fathers are singing pop songs to their children instead of nursery rhymes

Out of nursery rhymes that respondents did know, the most popular were Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Ring-a-Ring O'Roses, Baa, Baa Black Sheep and Hickory, Dickory Dock.

But most parents - 71 per cent - were clueless about the historical meaning of the rhymes. Just 28 per cent of young parents said they sang to their children "all the time".

Dr Janine Spencer, development psychologist at Brunel University, said: "Not only are nursery rhymes an important historical part of our culture, but by singing them to young children you can help speed up the development of their communication, memory, language and reading skills.

"It is also an entertaining and fun way to interact with your baby or toddler, and is crucial for recognising and learning phonic sounds."

A spokesman for Cartoonito, said: "It would be an incredible shame if they slip out of popular culture, particularly when song is proven to help children learn."