Grandmother’s Glasses

Fingerplays & Songs

A hands-and-face fingerplay about the grownups children love best.

This fingerplay helps children learn…

Family words

Grandmother and grandfather, said again and again.

Small hand muscles

Circles, clasps, and folds made with fingers.

Matching words to motions

Each line has its own movement to remember.

Voices and sounds

High, low, soft, and sleepy ways of talking.

Say It

These are grandmother’s glasses,

circle fingers around your eyes

And this is grandmother’s hat.

make a hat shape with both hands overhead

Grandmother clasps her hands like this,

clasp your hands together

And folds them in her lap.

fold hands in your lap

These are grandfather’s glasses,

circle fingers around your eyes

And this is grandfather’s hat.

make a hat shape with both hands overhead

This is the way he folds his arms,

fold your arms

And has a little nap.

close your eyes and pretend to sleep

Use fun grandma and grandpa voices for the different parts.

glassesat your eyes

hatover your head

clasphands together

foldin your lap, then arms

napeyes closed, all quiet

Try This

Say the grandmother verse in a high soft voice and the grandfather verse in a low slow one, then let children pick the voice.

Watch For

Children who copy a motion before you name it, who talk about their own grandparents, or who settle into quiet at the nap.

No materials needed · 3–5 minutes · Circle time, family talk, or settling before rest

The Nest Schools