Nursery rhymes and Fingerplays are valuable activities for young children because they help the child acquire skills that are essential to their development and learning in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Rhymes help children to develop language skills. New words are introduced and correct grammar and usage are modeled. Children are delight in hearing them read aloud, and they will enjoy and take pride in learning a few of their favorite rhymes by heart. They enjoy the rhyming and rhythm which promote an enjoyment of poetry.
It is not only a delightful introduction to verse, but also a natural and entertaining way to help children gain essential coordination skills, include the development of gross motor and fine motor skill through the manipulation of hands, fingers, and body. Auditory memory is also improved with the repetition of the rhymes in conjunction with physical action.
I highly recommended parents to provide as many opportunities as possible for the children to learn and recite nursery rhymes. I have collected as many as possible rhymes to get you started. You might also wish to check the local library for sources of other simple poems and rhymes that are appropriate for teaching to young children.
Self-Concept
OPEN, SHUT THEM
Open, shut them; open, shut them;
Give a little clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them;
Lay them in your lap.
Creep them, creep them, slowly creep them,
Come up to the chin,
Open WIDE your little mouth,
But don't let them in.
THUMBKIN
Where is thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin? (Hide hands behind back)
Here I am (Bring out one hand)
Here I am (Bring out the other)
How are you today, sir? (Nod one thumb)
Very well, I thank you. (Nod the other thumb)
Run away, run away. (Hide thumbs again behind back)
(Repeat using "pointer", "Tall Man", "Ring Man", and "pinkie" instead of Thumbkin.)
TEN LITTLE FINGERS
I have ten little fingers and they all belong to me. (Hands upright)
I can make them do things, would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight;(shut them up into fists)
Or open them wide. (Open them wide)
I can put them together, or make them all hide. (Close fists together)
I can make them jump high. (Swing hands down low)
I can fold them up quietly and hold them just so. (Place in lap)
ME
I can stand away up tall. (Stand on tiptoes)
Then make myself very, very small. (Crouch down)
I can be quiet as quiet can be. (Finger in front of lips)
But here I am, just being ME! (Jump up extending arms)
HEAD AND SHOULDS
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes;
Eyes and ears and mouths and noses,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes. (To be continued)
TWO LITTLE HANDS
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.
Two little fists go thump, thump, thump.
Two little legs go jump, jump, jump.
One little body turns around,
And everyone sits quietly down.
(Do actions as described)
WHOOPS! Johnny
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny,
Whoops! Jonny,
Whoops! Johnny,
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.
Hold one hand in front of you and point to the top of your index finger. Slide down the index finger and up the thumb, saying "whoops" with a vocal slide. Do this several times. Trying it on each hand. Chant the whole verse; starting with the little finger, tap each finger as you say the mane:jonny." Say "whoops" at the appropriate place. The second "whoops" starts the movement back toward the little finger. Repeat the verse several times, using the name of your child.
