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Birth to two...
Finger rhymes
Babies and toddlers love finger rhymes, which also
have developmental benefits, explains Penny Tassoni
Finger rhymes combine words and
music with hand movements. As
babies and toddlers are usually fascinated with their hands, finger rhymes
are popular with the under-twos. The
developmental benefits of the simple
finger rhyme make it a must when
planning activities for this age group.
PHOTO ISTOCK
WHEN AND HOW
The great thing about finger rhymes
is that they do not need any equipment and so you can carry them out
any time. Having said this, they can
be used as part of routines and can be
comforting for children when they
are feeling anxious or to mark certain
times – for example, to finish off a
nappy change.
l Choose a rhyme that you are able
to remember and practise the
movements and words together, so
enabling you to maintain eye
contact with the baby or toddler.
l Introduce a new rhyme when the
child is not tired and fairly content.
l Put babies on your lap so that they
can enjoy feeling close to you. With
toddlers, make sure that you have
their attention and eye contact.
l Say or sing the rhyme, emphasising
some of the movements or words.
l Repeat the rhyme, but do so slowly
and note the parts that the child
seems to recognise.
l Consider repeating the rhyme
again immediately if it seems to
engage the child, or otherwise
introduce it again later in the day
or session.
l Expect toddlers to need extra time
to co-ordinate their movements, so
their hand movements will often
be far behind the words.
DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS
From a developmental point of view,
finger rhymes are action packed.
They support children’s relationship
with their key adults as well as contribute to children’s language and
physical skills. They also encourage
early musicality and creativity.
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FINGER RHYMES:
l encourage babies and toddlers to
tune in to the sounds of the
language being spoken (language)
l help children to associate key
words with actions (language)
l encourage babies and toddlers to
explore hand movements (physical)
l support co-ordination (physical)
l support children’s attachments
with their key person and other
children (emotional).
NEXT STEPS
While you do need to notice how well
children respond to individual
rhymes and plan to repeat them, it is
worth planning them over the long
term to ensure that children are introduced regularly to new words,
rhythms and movements.
WHAT TO OBSERVE
The aspects of development worth
observing during finger rhymes are:
l Finger movements Watch out for
children trying to repeat finger
movements during the rhyme, but
also at other moments.
l Tunes and vocalisations Listen
out for toddlers who are starting
to repeat the sounds and tunes of
the rhyme.
l Communication Observe how
babies and toddlers communicate
their interest in the finger rhyme
and how they signal to you that
they want you to repeat it.
l Processing Note how babies
and toddlers often lag behind,
because their ability to process
movements and words is slower
than an adult’s.
The easiest
way to learn
a new finger
rhyme is
to see it
performed
BOOK TIME
Look out for simple picture books that illustrate some of
the finger rhymes that you are using. For example, there
is a lovely board book that illustrates This Little Piggy by
Annie Kubler and is part of a series of nursery rhyme books
by Child’s Play.
HOME LEARNING
Parents may have forgotten the
rhymes they heard in their childhood.
If you decide to create a long-term
plan for finger rhymes, this can flag
up their importance to parents and
together you can talk about the
progress that their child is making.
Some parents may welcome being
given written words and instructions,
but the easiest way to learn a new finger rhyme is to see it performed. Look
out for websites or create film clips
that show the rhymes in action.
Where parents are using another
language at home, it is also worth letting them know that using finger
rhymes in the home language will
benefit their child’s English as well as
home language.
RHYME TIME
One example is ‘Tommy Thumb’:
Tommy Thumb, Tommy Thumb,
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?
Peter Pointer, Peter Pointer,
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?
For the rest of the words and to see
the actions to this rhyme, visit: www.
youtube.com/watch?v=ustd
PWKFqaM n
27 JUNE-10 JULY 2016 NURSERY WORLD 21