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“Mares Eat Oats” is a playful and clever nursery rhyme that sounds silly at first but becomes funny and surprising once children understand its wordplay. The rhyme uses simple animal names and foods, arranged in a rhythmic way that helps little ones enjoy listening and repeating the lines. Kids love this rhyme because it feels like a puzzle—what sounds confusing suddenly makes sense when spoken clearly. Parents and teachers appreciate it because it supports early language development, listening skills, and pronunciation. As children repeat the rhyme, they begin to recognize sounds, patterns, and how words can change meaning based on how they are spoken. With its catchy rhythm and gentle humor, this classic rhyme turns learning into a fun and memorable experience for young learners.
Mares Eat Oats Song Lyrics
This classic rhyme uses clever sound patterns, and the Mares Eat Oats words are fun for children to listen to and say aloud.
I know a ditty nutty as a fruitcake
Goofy as a goon and silly as a loon
Some call it pretty,
others call it crazy
But they all sing this tune:
Mairzy doats and dozy doats
And liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?
Yes! Mairzy doats and dozy doats
and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?
If the words sound queer
And funny to your ear,
A little bit jumbled and jivey
Sing “Mares eat oats
And does eat oats
And little lambs eat ivy”
Oh! Mairzy doats and dozy doats
And liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?
Other Versions of the Mares Eat Oats Song
Over the years, this rhyme has been shared in slightly different ways, especially in songs and recordings.
Alternate Version 1 – Repeated for Clarity
Mares eat oats,
And does eat oats,
And little lambs eat ivy.
A kid’ll eat ivy too,
Yes, a kid’ll eat ivy too, wouldn’t you?
Alternate Version 2 – Slow Phonetic Version (Spoken Clearly)
Ma res eat oats,
And doze eat oats,
And little lambs eat ivy.
A kid’ll eat ivy too,
Wouldn’t you?
Alternate Version 3 – Sing-Along Classroom Version
Mares eat oats and does eat oats,
Little lambs eat ivy,
A kid’ll eat ivy too,
Wouldn’t you, wouldn’t you?
Alternate Version 4 – Action-Friendly Version
Mares eat oats, (pretend to eat)
Does eat oats, (nod your head)
Little lambs eat ivy, (hop like a lamb)
A kid’ll eat ivy too, wouldn’t you? (point and smile)
Gestures – How to Teach Mares Eat Oats to Kids
Using actions helps children understand and remember the rhyme while keeping them engaged.
- Pretend to eat by moving your hand to your mouth when saying “eat oats” to show the action clearly.
- Make animal ears with your hands on your head when mentioning mares, does, and lambs.
- Use small hopping motions when saying “little lambs” to show their playful nature.
- Point gently to the side when saying “ivy” as if showing leaves on a wall.
- Nod your head and smile at “wouldn’t you?” to invite children to respond.
- Repeat the rhyme slowly once more while doing all actions together for reinforcement.
History & Quick Facts
“Mares Eat Oats” is an old English-language rhyme that became popular in the early 20th century. It is often credited to traditional folk origins rather than a single author. The rhyme gained wide recognition when it appeared in songs and films during the 1940s, especially because of its clever use of phonetic wordplay. Its popularity grew as educators noticed how well it helped children practice listening and pronunciation skills.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme sounds like nonsense until spoken slowly, which is what makes it fun and surprising for kids.
- It is often used to teach phonetics and sound blending in early classrooms.
- The tune has been adapted into songs, movies, and children’s albums over the years.
- The rhyme works well across languages because the idea of sound play is universal.
- Many children laugh when they realize the “hidden meaning” in the words.
- It remains popular because it is short, simple, and easy to remember.
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is best suited for children aged 2 to 6 years, as it matches their early language and listening abilities. It supports both fun and foundational learning.
- Listening skills: Children learn to pay close attention to how words sound when spoken clearly.
- Phonetic awareness: The rhyme helps kids understand how sounds form words.
- Memory building: Repetition strengthens recall and confidence in speaking.
- Vocabulary growth: Children learn animal names and simple food words.
- Speech clarity: Saying the rhyme slowly improves pronunciation.
- Cognitive skills: Understanding the wordplay boosts thinking and comprehension.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of Mares Eat Oats?
The rhyme follows a simple rhythmic pattern rather than a strict rhyming scheme, focusing more on sound play.
2. Why do children find this rhyme funny?
Kids enjoy the surprise when confusing sounds turn into meaningful words.
3. Is Mares Eat Oats good for speech development?
Yes, it helps improve pronunciation, listening, and phonetic awareness.
“Mares Eat Oats” is a timeless nursery rhyme that blends humor, rhythm, and learning in a very natural way. Its playful sound patterns encourage children to listen carefully and think about how language works. Parents and teachers value it for supporting early speech and listening skills without feeling like a lesson. The rhyme’s short length makes it easy to repeat, sing, and act out together. Over generations, it has remained popular because it feels both clever and fun. Sharing this rhyme with children creates joyful learning moments filled with laughter and curiosity.
