Fingerplay | Nursery Rhymes List

A fingerplay is a nursery rhyme for children that uses hand movements coordinated with words to engage and sustain children's interest. Fingerplays can be in the form of songs or chants. Typical examples would be the "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Round and round the garden", or "This Little Piggy".

Teachers use fingerplays to introduce poetry to children and introduce new concepts. They can also help children develop such skills as fine motor co-ordination and following directions.

Five Little Monkeys

Nursery Rhyme Categories:

Fingerplay

Counting

Nursery Rhymes

Language:

English

Place of Origin:

N/A

“Five Little Monkeys” is an English language folk song and fingerplay. It is usually accompanied by a sequence of gestures that mimic the words of the song. Each successive verse sequentially counts down from the starting number.

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Itsy Bitsy Spider

Nursery Rhyme Categories:

Fingerplay

Nursery Rhymes

Published:

1910

Language:

English

Place of Origin:

USA

“Itsy Bitsy Spider”, also known as “Incy Wincy Spider” and several other similar-sounding names, is a popular nursery rhyme and fingerplay. It is usually accompanied by a sequence of gestures that mimic the words of the song.

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The Wheels on the Bus

Nursery Rhyme Categories:

Nursery Rhymes

Fingerplay

Published:

1939

Language:

English

Place of Origin:

USA

"The Wheels on the Bus" is a popular children's song in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada, and is often sung by children on bus trips to keep themselves amused.

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