---
title: When do kids learn how to rhyme?
description: When do kids learn how to rhyme? Find out when most kids can rhyme and how to help kids get better at rhyming.
slug: when-do-kids-learn-how-to-rhyme
author: Tara Drinks
reviewer: Elizabeth Babbin, EdD
published: '2019-12-17T22:39:43.878Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/2R23krxWtnyIw5pcifxUj5/263db9c26e18f873a51362d3c957d39d/G1142658679.jpg
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/when-do-kids-learn-how-to-rhyme
lang: en
---

# When do kids learn how to rhyme?

“Try them, try them, and you may! 

Try them and you may, I say.” 

*— Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham*

Did you grow up hearing the tale of Sam-I-Am and green eggs and ham? To kids, this Dr. Seuss classic is just a fun book of silly rhymes. But rhyming is actually an important [skill for reading](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reading-skills-what-to-expect-at-different-ages). It teaches kids how language works.

When do kids learn to rhyme? Some get the idea of rhyming when they’re very young. Others need more time and extra help to develop this skill. Here’s when kids typically develop rhyming skills:

- **Age 3:** Able to join in rhyming games
- **Age 4: **Recognize words that rhyme
- **Kindergarten:** Produce sounds that rhyme

After that, kids can usually come up with their own rhymes.

Rhyming requires kids to hear the sounds and syllables in words. Those are early reading skills that help kids [decode](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-decodable-and-non-decodable-words) (sound out) words.

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---

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