Materials
Tape recorder and blank tapes
White paper
Markers
Laminating paper or clear contact paper
Black marker
Hole punch
Yarn or brads
Instructions
1. Fingerplays and songs are excellent for circle time but are also wonderful for
transition times and as a spur of the moment time filler. Many children have
favorites and can recite them by heart. As children grow and reach the ages
of four and five, their imaginative and creative skills emerge. It's a perfect
time to explore the creation of new and original fingerplays and songs.
2. The following fingerplay is a favorite one.
Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill, (hold up both thumbs)
One named Jack and the other named Jill. (Bend one thumb then the other)
Fly away, Jack. Fly away, Jill. (Hide thumbs behind back)
Come back, Jack. Come back, Jill. (Hold up both thumbs in front again)
3. Try this fingerplay several times with the children. Then ask them:
* What kind of animal do you like? (dogs, dinosaurs, lizards, and so on)
* What do they look like? (furry, big, green, and so on)
* Where do they live? (backyard, swamp, jungle, and so on)
* How do they move? (run, stomp, crawl, and so on)
4. Modify the fingerplay, adding some of the children's names for extra special
fun. Change the actions to suit the animal. You may wish to write the fingerplay
on a large piece of paper and use the rebus method of pictures and
words combined.
Two Big Dinosaurs
Two big dinosaurs sitting in the swamp, (hold up both fists)
One named Kolby, the other named Isaac. (Bend one fist then the other)
Stomp away, Kolby. Stomp away, Isaac. (Hide fist behind back)
Come back, Kolby. Come back, Isaac. (Hold up both fists in front again)
5. Try the fingerplay several times and ask each child to make suggestions for animals,
movements, and habits. The children will enjoy hearing their names in
this playful little rhyme.
6. Other songs and fingerplays that are easily modified include "The Bear Went
Over the Mountain," "Five Little Monkeys," "Where Is Thumbkin," and
"Found a Peanut." Modifying a song or a fingerplay is a perfect way to add to
themes, but most important, it makes what seems old new again.
More to do
Sing songs that children can make up their own verses to, such as "Down by the
Bay," "My Mama Don't Wear No Socks," or "She'll Be Coming "Round the
Mountain."
Literacy: Make a list of words to describe things.
More Literacy: Encourage the children to dictate or tape record their own
stories.
