Hi, Hello, and How Are You?
Fingerplays & Songs Sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” greeting one friend at a time. This song helps children learn… Greeting wordsHi and hello, practiced over and over. Answering a questionSomeone asks, and it is their turn to reply. Names of friendsHearing their own name sung by the group. BelongingEvery child […]
Buddy was his Name-O
Fingerplays & Songs Sung to the tune of “BINGO,” spelling our own Buddy one clap at a time. This song helps children learn… Letter namesB, U, D, D, Y said out loud again and again. Holding a patternRemembering which letter turns into a clap. Steady beatFive claps and letters spaced evenly apart. Waiting and quietSilent […]
This Little Piggy
Fingerplays & Songs A toe-and-finger rhyme, said slowly, one little piggy at a time. This rhyme helps children learn… Body awarenessNoticing five separate toes or fingers, one at a time. Counting one to oneOne touch for each piggy, all the way to five. AnticipationWaiting for the big finish they know is coming. Back and forth […]
We’ve Got the Beat
Fingerplays & Songs A body-percussion chant, spoken rather than sung, so any steady beat works. This chant helps children learn… Steady beatMatching a movement to a repeating pulse. Body part namesNaming hands, feet, knees, and hips as they move. Motor planningStarting and stopping four beats on cue. Listening and turn takingWaiting for the next body […]
Big and Small
Fingerplays & Songs A size-hunting song sung to the tune of “Frère Jacques.” This song helps children learn… Size wordsUsing big and small to describe what they see. Comparing objectsDeciding which of two things is bigger. Listening for the cueHolding the size and object in mind before hunting. Repetition and rhythmSteady beat and repeated phrases […]
If Your Name Is…
Fingerplays & Songs A name song to support sense of self, name recognition, and movement. This song helps children learn… Their own nameRecognizing and responding when their name is called. Listening for a cueStopping and sitting on the signal builds self-regulation. Gross motor controlJumping, stomping, and balancing with body awareness. Belonging in a groupWaiting for […]
I had a Little Turtle
Fingerplays & Songs A silly story rhyme that ends with hands growing bigger and a big pop. This rhyme helps children learn… Story sequenceWhat happens first, next, and last to Tiny Tim. Big and smallGrowing hands wider with each round of bubbles. Rhyming wordsHearing Tim and swim, soap and throat. Waiting for the popHolding still […]
The Squirrel Climbed Up The Tree
Fingerplays & Songs Sung to the tune of “The Bear Went Over the Mountain,” with an animal action for each verse. This song helps children learn… Animal knowledgeWhat squirrels, birds, and bears do outdoors. Repeated phrasesHearing a line three times makes it easy to join in. Acting it outNibbling, perching, and scratching along with the […]
There Are Wonders All Around
Fingerplays & Songs An outdoor fingerplay sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” This song helps children learn… Observation wordsNaming what they see in the natural world. Up and downPositional language and spatial awareness. Rhyme and rhythmHearing sound patterns in a familiar tune. Wonder and careCuriosity about living things and their habitats. Sing […]
Laundry, Laundry
Fingerplays & Songs Sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” a song for sorting and putting away. This song helps children learn… Everyday workWashing, drying, folding, and putting away. Where things belongOn the hangers, in the drawers, on the shelves. Position wordsOn and in, said while they point and place. Helping and finishingA […]