Imagine this scene: You’re in a line at the grocery store watching a young mom with her three children (baby in the stroller and two little ones aged 3 and 5 in tow). At the head of the line, a customer has asked to speak with the manager and the line is not moving. One kiddo is pulling mom one way because they want to explore, the other is collecting gum and candy bars off the shelf. Mom is clearly struggling with the decision to wait it out or abandon all hope of buying groceries. The meltdown is imminent as the toddler starts to fuss.
But all of a sudden mom does an seemingly amazing thing. No words, no yelling, no explanation of what’s going to happen, she just starts singing. Very softly, almost mischieviously, singing! And there are actions too! To your own delight you recognize the melody; The Hokey Pokey. All the kids are immediately engaged. Little one in the stroller is enraptured by the actions and focus of his older brothers. Older siblings are hanging on every word and action of the activity. Their energy is completely channelled into singing along and getting the right body part into the middle. You find yourself participating, because, yes, waiting in line is boring and this is much more fun!
If you are ever find yourself looking to distract or redirect a child’s energy, it is so much fun to thrill and delight with a song, or even a finger play. The ability of these simple activities to engage children is incredible, not to mention the amazing benefits to a child’s development of memory, fine-motor skills, language and concentration.
Here are 5 finger play and action songs to try out with your little one, all with the flexibility to remain short and sweet, or extend to last as long as you need them to:
You can do this action/finger play song using just one hand (tap on your knee, the floor, or a table if close by). For older kids, have them try using 2 hands that tap matching fingers together for extra coordination challenge:
One little finger, one little finger,
One little finger, tap tap tap (tap your two fingers together)
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor, point to the window and point to the door.
Point to your nose… Nose!
Two little fingers, two little fingers,
Two little fingers, tap tap tap (tap your two fingers together)
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor, point to the window and point to the door.
Point to your ears… Ears!
Continue with three fingers and four fingers…
Five little fingers, five little fingers,
Five little fingers, clap, clap, clap!
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor, point to the window and point to the door.
Point to your hair… Hair!
Once the song is done you could extend it by counting back again, 4, 3, 2, 1 little finger, continuing to point to other body parts. Take turns choosing where to point the fingers for a fun twist on the game.
Fee, fi, fo, fum is the first line in the giant’s chant from Jack and the Beanstalk. It has no real meaning…it was just the beginning of the rhyme. While the first verse is well known, the rest I’ve added using nonsensical rhymes. Take turns tapping each finger together against the thumb as you chant:
Fee, fi, fo fum
These are my fingers, these are my thumbs
Fee, fi, fo, fap
These are my hands as I clap, clap, cap
Fee, fi, fo, flu
These are my hands waving at you
Fee, fi, fo, fest
These are my hands takinga rest
Fee, fi, fo, fun
These are my hands as I say, all done!
See how many other creative rhymes you can create; fickle…tickle, fly…wave goodbye, etc. Not only is this finger play an excellent practice of fine-motor skills and imitation, but it explores rhyming and creativity in language.
This great action rhyme is similar to BINGO, except with words rather then letters. Each animal has an action that you will motion, but everytime you repeat the rhyme, you leave off speaking a line. Saying words in your head is a fantastic introduction to audiation or inner hearing. While this rhyme is well known, this variation on the theme I learned from Songs from the Sandbox who have a great Youtube channel with tons of fun material.
We’ll hop, hop, hop like a bunny
And run, run, run like a dog.
We’ll walk, walk, walk like an elephant
And jump, jump, jump like a frog.
We’ll swim, swim, swim like a goldfish
And fly, fly, fly like a bird.
We’ll sit right down and fold our hands
And not say a single word. Shh!
I like to do this to a beat using a metronome or drum loop to keep the rhythm of the meter consistent. Of course, you could also tangent and see what other movements the kiddos could do and identify thise actions with words and in motion.
by Kevin Mackenzie
The gate swings open and the hens run free
They climb up the branches of the apple tree
They fell asleep from the apples they ate
So carry them home and shut the gate.
The gate swings open and the goats run free
They climb up the branches of the apple tree
They fell asleep from the apples they ate
So carry them home and shut the gate.
The gate swings open and the pigs run free
They climb up the branches of the apple tree
They fell asleep from the apples they ate
So carry them home and shut the gate.
The gate swings open and the cows run free
They climb up the branches of the apple tree
They fell asleep from the apples they ate
So carry them home …carry them home (it takes a long time to carry a cow)
So carry them home and shut the gate.
I love this little rhythm rhyme as it gives so much opportunity to get creative, and silly! What animals will you and your kiddos find behind that gate? Will they be fast, slow, heavy, impossible to carry, or fit in your pocket?
By Larry Laprise
This tune dates back to the early 1940s and was often played as the first song at social gatherings to get folks warmed up and out on the dance floor! When I do this with little ones, I often give them something to put their hand/foot/etc. into such as a hoola hoop, ring or even a large bowl or pot.
You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You put your right foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about!
You put your left foot in
You put your left foot out
You put your left foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about!
You put your right hand in
You put your right hand out
You put your right hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about!
You put your left hand in
You put your left hand out
You put your left hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about!
You put your head in
You put your head out
You put your head in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about!
You put your whole self in
You put your whole self out
You put your whole self in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about!
Of course you can make up your own verses and use whatever body part you’d like, or you can add different voices (indoor/outdoor), different animals or insectes or even foods. The sky is the limit!
Sign up to receive updates, promotions, and sneak peaks of upcoming course. Plus 20% off your next order.
