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Hand aerobics Try out this game as part of your project on hands.
Hand aerobics

Try out this game as part of your project on hands.

Child development opportunities

* To listen carefully to instructions and respond quickly

* To find out more about differences in hands

* To exercise and improve the agility of hands and fingers

How to play

* Talk about hands - size, difference between palm colours, length and shape of fingers.

* Explain that one child is the caller; that the others have to follow their instructions; and that the last child to complete the action misses a turn.

* Demonstrate each action and give children time to try it before the game. Can you put your palms up? Can you put your hands back to back?

* Include other actions such as:

* hands/left hand/right hand up * palms up/down/together * back of hands together * thumbs side by side * all fingertips together except for thumbs * fists clenched with thumbs tucked inside * all fingers curled up except the thumbs.

Tips

* Take the roll of the caller yourself until the children can do most of the suggested activities quickly.

* The first times you play, let children practise in their own time without deciding who is the last.

* Increase the speed of the game as the children get used to the actions.

* Add different and more difficult instructions as agility increases.

For more games, see Acker Backa BOO! - Games to Say and Play From Around the World by Opal Dunn (Frances Lincoln, 10.99)

(c) Opal Dunn. The author disclaims responsibility for any adverse effects resulting directly or indirectly from the game outlined.