Fingerplay

Fingerplay, commonly seen in toddlerhood and early childhood, is hand action or movement combined with singing or spoken-words to engage the child's interest. According to Erikson, many toddlers develop autonomy and "want to learn and imitate the activities and behavior of others." According to Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, "gestures precedes speech and in this way a small child communicates satisfactorily." ^[1] From the ages three to four children become active listeners and can control their eyes, body, and attention on the teacher.^[2]

Some chants or common rhymes that incorporate fingerplay include ((Itsy Bitsy Spider)) and ((Peek-a-boo I See You)). The article entitled, "Fingerplay Fun" explains fingerplay as a form of chants or songs to gather the child's attention.^[3] Reciting chants or stories "help him develop an ear for sounds and discover that sounds can be manipulated and changed".^[2] An example of fingerplay:

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys (five fingers)
Jumping on the bed - (rest elbow on other hand, jump arm up and down)
One fell off, (hold up one finger, bring down as if falling)
And bumped his head! (hand to head)

A fingerplay is a nursery rhyme for very young children that uses hand movements coordinated with words to engage and sustain children's interest. Fingerplays can be in the form of little songs or chants. Typical examples would be the Itsy Bitsy Spider, Round and round the garden, or This Little Piggy. Preschool teachers use fingerplays to introduce poetry to children and introduce new concepts. They can also help children develop such skills as fine motor co-ordination and following directions.^[4]

References

v t e Children's games Clapping games "Mary Mack" "Miss Susie" "Pease Porridge Hot" Guessing games Hangman I spy Hand games Bloody knuckles Hand-slap game Mercy Rock-paper-scissors String figures Thumb war Hide-and-seek and tag Capture the flag Four corners Kick the can Marco Polo Baby games Peekaboo Party games Hot potato Musical chairs Pin the tail on the donkey Simon Says Playground games and songs Chinese jump rope Dodgeball Follow the leader Four square Hopscotch Mother May I? Red Rover "Sea Lion Woman" Skipping rope Double Dutch "The Song That Never Ends" Statues Singing games "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" Counting-out games Duck, duck, goose "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" "Did You Ever See a Lassie?" "The Farmer in the Dell" Fingerplays "Itsy Bitsy Spider" "Little Robin Redbreast" "This Little Piggy" "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" "London Bridge Is Falling Down" "The Muffin Man" "Pop Goes the Weasel" "Ring a Ring o' Roses" Skipping-rope rhymes "Eeper Weeper" "Skip to My Lou" Other Hot lava Leapfrog Playground Seven Up Street games Telephone/Chinese whispers Video games