Activity
Tommy Thumb – Finger Play
Reciting a familiar rhyme is an enjoyable way
to spend some Comfort, Play & Teach time
together. You and your child will smile and
laugh as you sing and dance your fingers
around!
How to Do this Activity:
You Will Need
The Following Traditional Rhyme:
Tommy Thumb is up
and Tommy Thumb is down,
Tommy Thumb is dancing
all around the town!
Dance him on your shoulders,
dance him on your head,
Dance him on your knees
then tuck him into bed!
As you sing or say the first line, point your thumbs up and then down. On the second line move
your thumbs back and forth. On the third line, dance your thumbs on your shoulders and then
your head. On the last line, dance your thumbs on your knees and then hide your thumbs behind
your back. With each repetition of the rhyme substitute a different finger (i.e. Peter Pointer, Toby
Tall, Ruby Ring, Baby Finger, and lastly, Finger Family).
Finger plays are easy to learn and give your child an opportunity to demonstrate her
singing and speaking skills. Let her know how proud you are when she recites all or part
of the rhyme for you all by herself!
Doing finger plays encourages your child to use his imagination as he pretends that each
finger is a different character. He will enjoy naming each finger and performing the
repetitive actions.
As you say the rhyme together, leave out some of the words so your child can fill in the
blanks. This will help her to build memory and language skills, and will also encourage the
turn-taking that is part of conversing with another person.
You are your child’s FAVORITE TOY!