Can a rhyme really help with brushing teeth or tidying up?
It often helps, though it isn’t magic. A rhyme turns “do this now” into a game with a clear beginning and end, and it gives your child something to listen to besides your instructions.
Why it can work
Toddlers push back on orders, but it is harder to argue with a song. The same words at the same moment each day also become a signal for what comes next, so there is less to negotiate.
How to use it
Pick one rhyme for one job and use it every time for a couple of weeks. Do the action as you say the line. If your child hates it, drop it and try a different one. A rhyme that causes a fight has stopped doing its job.