Maddie Marquis

Mrs. Alstot

Child Lit. Period 3

17 October 2019

The Value of “Star Light, Star Bright”

One may remember making a wish on a shooting star when they were a kid, but most

people don’t know where that originated from. The children’s nursery rhyme “Star light, star

bright the first star I see tonight I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight” is

based on this popular activity. The nursery rhyme “Star Light, Star Bright” dates back to

nineteenth century America when it was a common belief that wishing on a falling star would

make it true, and this nursery rhyme helps children with language growth and aids in several

other aspects of their early development.

The popular nursery rhyme “Star Light, Star Bright” originated from nineteenth century

America before moving to twentieth century Britain, and is rooted in the notion that when a

falling star is seen and you make a wish on it, then your wish will come true. The article “Star

Light, Star Bright” by “All Nursery Rhymes” supports this statement by saying that this rhyme is

“One of the most beloved nursery rhymes, having its origins in the very popular superstition that

when you see a falling star you can make a wish that will be accomplished,” (“Star Light, Star

Bright”). The article uses strong historical evidence to describe the origin of “Star Light, Star

Bright”, and to inform the readers how this familiar belief became a nursery rhyme for children.

The diction used, helps to illustrate just how popular of a myth wishing on a star was, and that

since it was “beloved” it became a nursery rhyme. Likewise, the book ​A Diary of Superstitions
talks about the history of “Star Light, Star Bright” and mentions how “​The superstition of hoping

for wishes granted when seeing a shooting or falling star may date back to the ancient world. The

song and tradition seem to have reached Britain by the early twentieth century and have since

spread worldwide,” (Opie). The author discusses a certain time period to inform the reader when

the nursery rhyme became what it is today. In addition, the author discusses the countries that

this tradition came from, which gives the audience even more insight into how this nursery

rhyme came to be and why it was significant in British culture. To sum up, ​“Star Light, Star

Bright” the popular children’s nursery rhyme’s origin dates back to twentieth century Britain

where it was a common belief that wishing on a falling star will make it come true.

Furthermore, “Star Light, Star Bright” helps young children with language development,

growth of imagination, memorization, and helps them with their overall early childhood

development. Rebecca Peiffer, the author of “UA Experts Address the Value of Nursery

Rhymes” states that “Traditional poems and songs such as ...“Star Light, Star Bright”... are

known to serve as important tools for helping children to learn, retain information, detect

patterns, and learn language, aiding with early childhood development,” (Peiffer). The strength

of the diction used in this article allows Peiffer to get the point across to readers that nursery

rhymes can be very useful for children. The author goes on to use language relating to learning

skills, to let the audience know the specific ways nursery rhymes can help a child. The

terminology in this article puts emphasis on the positive effects nursery rhymes have on young

children, and clearly states the skills that toddler-aged children can work on by listening to or

reciting nursery rhymes. Additionally, Mathew is the article “How Nursery Rhymes Will

Improve the Creativity of Your Kids”, argues that “Rhymes expand imagination of the child; it
takes them to fantasy world, widening their visualization skills,” (Mathew). Mathew’s

description of a child’s growing imagination helps showcase to the reader what exactly nursery

rhymes can help their young child with. The emphasis on the value of creativity in young

children helps strongly prove the idea that nursery rhymes can aid a child in their cognitive

development. “Star Light, Star Bright” helps children with their early childhood development by

broadening their imagination, increasing their vocabulary, and helping with basic memorization.

The popular children’s rhyme “Star Light, Star Bright” can help young children with their

language, memorization, and pattern development, and has cultural significance in that it comes

from the activity of wishing on a falling star. This nursery rhyme can help young children not

only with their intellectual development such as retaining information, and language, but also

with the growth of their imagination. “Star Light, Star Bright” comes from the superstition of

wishing on a falling star. This myth dates all the way back to twentieth century Britain before

becoming popular worldwide. The early childhood development benefits that “Star Light, Star

Bright” gives are crucial because this nursery rhyme can help children learn to practice certain

skills that are essential for success in life. “Star Light, Star Bright” has a unique history in that it

stemmed from a well known and loved superstition as well as being a valuable tool when

teaching young children language and imagination skills.