Favourite Finger Plays and Action Songs
While reading the wonderful Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox, I was reminded of some rhymes from my childhood. This Little Piggy (went to market), Pat A Cake Pat A Cake (bakers man), Round and Round The Garden (like a teddy bear) are such wonderful rhymes they are now a part of our bedtime routine. I started thinking of other rhymes, finger plays and action songs from my childhood that my children (Caspar 5 and Otis 19 months) would like. In addition to those mentioned my childhood favourites that are now favourites of my children include;
- Five Little Monkeys (jumping on the bed)
- Five Little Ducks (went out one day)
- Open, Shut Them, Open, Shut Them (give a little clap)
- Incy Wincy Spider (goes up the water spout)
- Heads and Shoulders (knees and toes)
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- If You Are Happy and You Know It (clap your hands)
- I'm a Little Tea Pot (short and stout)
- The Wheels on the Bus (go round and round)
I also remember Dem Bones, Dem Bones but had to look up the words. Caspar loves Five Little Monkeys (swinging in a tree) which he learnt at school. I'm sure there are millions of benefits in introducing rhyme and finger play into our daily lives but most of all I find it a great way of spending time together and it always ends in laughter.