Sharing Rhymes

I have ten little fingers,

and they all belong to me.

I can make them do things,

just watch and see.

I can shut them up tight,

I can open them wide.

I can put them together,

I can make them all hide.

I can make them jump high,

I can make them jump low.

I can fold them together,

and put them just so.

Why finger rhymes matter

Finger rhymes can:

  • help to develop children’s fine motor co-ordination
  • help children to make sense of the words within the rhyme
  • help children to remember the rhyme
  • support attachment, especially with babies
  • develop spatial awareness of hands in relation to bodies.

Tips for sharing finger rhymes

  • Consider children’s level of hand co-ordination when choosing rhymes.
  • Exaggerate the gestures so that children can connect them to the words.
  • Repeat a rhyme several times so that children can increasingly join in.
  • Leave a slight pause between words so that children can anticipate the next movement. Watch out for children who have difficulty in co-ordinating their movement.

Suggestions for sharing this rhyme

I have ten little fingers,

and they all belong to me (Hold up your hands)

I can make them do things,

just watch and see (Wiggle your fingers)

I can shut them up tight (Make a fist)

I can open them wide (Open your hands)

I can put them together (Put palms together)

I can make them all hide (Place your hands behind your back)

I can make them jump high (Raise your arms)

I can make them jump low (Lower your arms)

I can fold them together (Interlink your fingers)

and put them just so (Place your hands with interlinked fingers on your lap)

Ideas for extending the learning

  • Create a display exploring the different ways that we use our hands and fingers.
  • Plan simple cooking and food preparation activities that encourage fine motor skills – for example, peeling an orange or washing fruit.
  • Try some threading activities – for example, using pasta or beads and laces.
  • Put out sponges with water and see how much water children can squeeze out.
  • Play a ‘guess which hand’ game by making simple prints with paint.

For a version by San José Public Library, see: https://bit.ly/32Uxbvy