Finger Plays
I remember doing finger plays in elementary school. And, to this day, I remember the actual finger plays. Why is that? We repeated the finger plays often, and that surely has a lot to do with it. Also, when we include the body with and as text, it enhances the experience and our memories of it. Here's one that I remember well:
This little boy is going to bed (hold up finger)
Down on the pillow he lays his head (lay finger on open hand, the thumb is the pillow)
Wraps himself in the cover tight (close hand over finger)
And there he sleeps all through the night (rock hand back and forth)
Morning comes; he open his eyes
Back with a toss the cover flies (open hand)
Up he jumps, is dressed and away (hold finger up)
Ready for work and ready for play.
Finger plays aren't just for pre-schoolers or kindergarteners. Although it's difficult to find examples on Youtube, older children can develop more complex finger plays about a variety of content. Include a poem and say it with expression and an underlying beat.
Here is a collection of traditional finger plays, compiled by Dr. Jean Feldman: http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2010/01_Jan/1books/fingerPlaysBooklet.pdf
Below is a video of Dr. Jean sharing some of her finger plays. With a simple search, you can find a lot more finger plays on Youtube.
This little boy is going to bed (hold up finger)
Down on the pillow he lays his head (lay finger on open hand, the thumb is the pillow)
Wraps himself in the cover tight (close hand over finger)
And there he sleeps all through the night (rock hand back and forth)
Morning comes; he open his eyes
Back with a toss the cover flies (open hand)
Up he jumps, is dressed and away (hold finger up)
Ready for work and ready for play.
Finger plays aren't just for pre-schoolers or kindergarteners. Although it's difficult to find examples on Youtube, older children can develop more complex finger plays about a variety of content. Include a poem and say it with expression and an underlying beat.
Here is a collection of traditional finger plays, compiled by Dr. Jean Feldman: http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2010/01_Jan/1books/fingerPlaysBooklet.pdf
Below is a video of Dr. Jean sharing some of her finger plays. With a simple search, you can find a lot more finger plays on Youtube.