Fingerplay songs have existed for many years and have been passed down from generation to generation. These songs, often used in early childhood, capture children's attention by pairing movement with the singing of simple songs like nursery rhymes. Engaging your child in a fingerplay song is a simple way that you can help them develop and work on their fine motor skills wherever you go!
Check out our top 10 fingerplay songs below. Chances are you may know a few!
1. ITSY BITSY SPIDER
"Itsy Bitsy Spider" is a commonly known song that tells a fun story which will engage your child's attention. The repetition of the motions will help your child learn them even faster. Check out the example below:
2. WHEELS ON THE BUS
The "Wheels On The Bus" is a great song to work on fine motor skills like body awareness and crossing midline. This song has a lot of verses, which means you can do as many or few as you'd like! Follow along with the video below:
3. OPEN AND SHUT THEM
Singing and moving to "Open and Shut Them" will give your child a chance to practice finger dexterity and grasping. This song can also be used as a tool to get children settled in their spot if you're doing it with a group. Watch the video below to learn it:
4. FIVE IN THE BED
This song, also called "Roll Over", is a simple fingerplay that will help your child practice fine motor skills like body awareness and hand division. This song may also assist in developing memory and reinforce counting. Depending on the attention of your child, you can count down from ten or five. Check out the example below:
5. BABY SHARK
This song went viral with kids and adults across America! "Baby Shark" is a fun song which will grab your child's attention and help him or her develop various fine motor movements through the use of different motions in the song. Be careful with this one.... It'll be stuck in your head for days!
Check out the first version in the tutorial below:
6. PAT-A-CAKE
"Pat-a-cake" is a classic nursery rhyme that children have been playing for generations. This fingerplay song address crossing mid-line, hand-eye coordination, body awareness, and encourages social interaction. Use this simple song to engage your child in developing fine motor skills. Follow along with the video below:
7. FIVE GREEN AND SPECKLED FROGS
This song will spark your child's imagination and engage them in reinforcing various skills like counting and memory recall while encouraging the use of fine motor skills like wrist stability. Watch the video below to learn it:
8. BABY BUMBLEBEE
This is a fun story song that you can sing with your child to practice and reinforce fine motor skills. Sing "Baby Bumblebee" to engage your child's silly side! There are many different versions, so feel free to look for other verses to add to the version listed below:
9. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS
"Five Little Monkeys" is a repetitive fingerplay that addresses simple skills like moving individual fingers up and down while also reinforcing memory and counting. Once you teach it to your child, have them sing it you while you're driving or getting them ready for bed to really build those skills. Check out the catchy version below:
10. TWO LITTLE BLACKBIRDS
This song is great for practicing fine motor skills while also learning about opposites! Your child can sing about differences such as "quiet" and "loud", "near" and "far", and "slow" and "quick". You can add some fun to this song by using dramatic vocal changes between the two opposites in the verse. Pick your favorite verses from the version below:
Like the fine motor skills above, music can be used to work on so many important areas (emotions, social skills, communication & more)!
Would you like to learn more ways to use music at home? If you like this blog you may love our Creative Kids class!
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Your child will learn creative tools to cope with BIG emotions through music, art, and stories. Click below to learn more & register for our interactive online class for 3-7 year olds...
Meet the "Creative Kids" teacher, Cassie! And dance along!
You may also like our post about using music to help your child focus and "get the wiggles out". Check it out HERE!