Finger Plays & Songs

If You’re Happy and You Know It

Fingerplays & Songs
A feelings song where every verse names an emotion and gives it a movement.
The Nest Schools
This song helps children learn…
Feeling words
Happy, sad, angry, sleepy, named out loud.
Listening for a cue
The last line tells the body what to do.
Big movements
Clapping, stomping, and stretching on the beat.
Copying and leading
Watching a friend, then picking the next move.

Sing It

If you’re happy and you know it,
Clap your hands!

If you’re happy and you know it,
Clap your hands!

If you’re happy and you know it,
And you really want to show it!

If you’re happy and you know it,
Clap your hands!

Sing it again, swap these two
sleepy→yawn out loud
angry→stomp your feet
excited→jump up high
Feeling word  ·  movement
Repeat the song with other emotions and movements for the children to move to.

More Verses

sadwipe your eyes
sillywiggle all over
proudstand up tall
calmtake a slow breath
scaredhug yourself tight
Try This
Let one child choose the feeling and show the movement, then everyone copies it for the whole verse.
Watch For
Children who match the movement to the word, who name a feeling of their own, or who notice a friend’s face and copy it.
No materials needed · 3–5 minutes · Circle time, transitions, or feelings talk
The Nest Schools