Favourite Finger Play Rhymes and Songs!

Have you been enjoying my series on "Fingers"?  We started with "Heavy Work for Fingers" and then there were some home made games "finger soccer and a finger obstacle course".  This week is one for your toddlers and preschoolers, although some older children might like these too!

"Finger play" in rhymes and songs teach little ones so many skills.  I think it is an essential part of development for a baby and young child to participate in finger play!  

However, I would like to point out that some children will love songs and rhymes and others won't.  My two children are perfect examples.  With my first born, I was accused by a friend to be a "walking musical" as I would be constantly breaking out into sing and doing the actions.  She loved it as a baby and as she grew older requested songs and rhymes.  Preschool teachers would comment that she would happily sing to herself whilst drawing or painting and now she participates in a choir.  My son on the other hand {pun intended} would stop me as a toddler and say "no" or cover his ears.  LOL!  I don't think my singing voice deteriorated that much! 

Anyway, whilst some children are more inclined musically and others not, participation in finger rhymes and songs can be really beneficial!!!  

Here are a few benefits:-

* Language Development - I'm sure my Speechie friends will agree that songs and rhymes are great for language development.  Children hear words repeated and learn their meaning. 

* Fine Motor Development - Finger play encourages coordination of fingers, hands and arms.  Fingers may move individually or together, hands may wave or fist, arms may stretch or bend (to name a few).  Finger play also encourages bilateral coordination (use of both sides of the body) and in some songs hands may cross the mid-line as well! 

* Spatial Awareness - Finger play encourages body awareness as fingers, hands and arms move to perform different things (such as clapping, hammering, raining, touching other body parts).  Through language, children may learn about concepts such as up, down, left, right, together, open, close.

To get you and your children excited about finger play, I have collated 42 of my favourite rhymes and songs together into a FREE printable!!! This includes lyrics and actions. You can download the printable here.  Please share this with your friends and family!

Children are visual learners.  This includes children with special needs.  Many of the rhymes and songs in the printable, may be use in conjunction with felt and flannel boards.  You may also use finger puppets too!

Here is an example of a felt board that I put together for a music playgroup that I help to run.  The pieces in the photograph below are for "five little crayons".  You will find the words in theFREE printable! I drew a "crayon" onto paper as a pattern, then cut out the correct coloured felt to correspond with the rhyme.  A blue SHARPIE marker was used to embellish the crayons (Miss 8 yrs helped with this).  They make a nice visual as the "colour" aspect of this rhyme can only be appreciated visually. Each felt crayon is then used with the rhyme.  

Another really cute way to make visuals is to bake cookies! I couldn't resist when I found this elephant cutter amongst my supplies.  I think the elephants turned out pretty cute {if I do say so myself}.  I used this gingerbread recipe.  The elephants were used to sing-a-long to "one grey elephant". although my kids were more interested in eating them! You will find the words in theFREE printable!

Mr almost-5 year old actually enjoys some finger play rhymes and songs now. He learnt the "weather" one at preschool and was very proud to show me the actions.  He also likes "here's the church", "5 little rockets" and "two tall telegraph poles".

Don't forget to download your FREE printable today! It may jog your memory of some forgotten rhymes and songs or you may even learn some new ones.  Tell your friends and mother's groups! 

You may also like the Preschool Rhyme Printable Bundle  ---> Take me to the bundle!
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Does your child have a favourite finger play rhyme or songs? 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy website and blog  Your Kids OT and Sensory Diet Activity Guidebook (ebook).  

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote products I love and recommend. I receive a commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

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