Friday Fingerplays: Winter Clean Up

This is a great fingerplay for teaching children what needs to be done when they come inside after playing in the snow. Pantomime each action and then recite this little sequential fingerplay when they really do come inside after building a snowman.

When I come inside

When I come in from outdoor play.

I take my boots off right away.

I set them by the door just so.

Then off my cap and mittens go.

Zip down my coat and snowpants too.

And hang them up when I am through.

I'm a helper, keeping my things clean.

Yay!

Friday Fingerplays: Snowman Fingerplay and a Christmas Song

Chubby Little Snowman

A chubby little snow man, had a carrot nose (Touch child's nose)

A long came a bunny and what do you suppose? (Make hand into a bunny shape)

That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch (Have the bunny hop)

Ate that snowman's carrot nose ('Eat' child's nose)

Nibble, nibble crunch

Christmas Time (sung to the tune of Row Your Boat)

Note: If you have a bell to ring, all the more fun

Ring, ring, ring the bells

Ring them loud and clear

To tell the children everywhere

That Christmas time is here!

Fingerplay Friday: More Thanksgiving Fingerplays

This is a good one to do for those of you who serve turducken!

Mr. Duck and Mr. Turkey

Mr. Duck went out to walk, (Hold up a thumb)

One day in pleasant weather.

He met Mr. Turkey on the way (Hold up other thumb)

And there they walked together (Move thumbs together and simulate walking)

Gobble, gobble, gobble (Wiggle one thumb)

Quack, quack, quack (Wiggle the other)

Goodbye, goodbye (Wiggle both thumbs)

And then they both walked back (Move thumbs apart)

Friday Fingerplays: Thanksgiving Fingerplays (and a song!)

A smorgasboard of Thanksgiving fingerplays today...

Funny Bird

A turkey is a funny bird
His head goes bobble, bobble (Bob head)
And all he knows is just one word (Hold up 1 finger. You can also pause and ask kids if they know what the word is)
Gobble, gobble, gobble!

I'm a Turkey -- Can be sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle

I'm a turkey, big and fat. (Spread arms out.)
I spread my tail. I walk like that. (Fan fingers like a turkey's tail; Waddle.)
Each day's corn I will not miss, (Rub stomach.)
And when I talk, I sound like this: (Point to lips; Cup hand next to ear.)
GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE! (Shout.)

If You're Happy Thankful and You Know It--Sing to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're thankful and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

If you're thankful and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're thankful and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're thankful and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you're thankful and you know it, shout "I am!"
If you're thankful and you know it, shout "I am!"
If you're thankful and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it, shout "I am!"

If you're thankful and you know it, do all three.
If you're thankful and you know it, do all three.
If you're thankful and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it, do all three.

Friday Fingerplays: Autumn

When the Leaves Are on the Ground

When the leaves are on the ground (point to floor)

Instead of on the trees (Lift arms overhead like a tree)

I rake a pile of them (Pretend to rake)

Way up to my knees (Put hands on knees)

I like to run and jump in them (Jump)

And kick the leaves all around (Kick)

Then I fall, down on the ground (Sit down)

Friday Fingerplays: Autumn

Here's a fingerplay that talks about the Fall season.

Leaves are floating gently down (Arms go up and down to simulate floating)

They make a carpet on the ground (Sweep arms down to point to feet)

They swish, the wind comes whooshing by (Make whooshing sound and continue to wave arms)

And sends them dancing to the sky (Flutter fingers up above head)

Friday Fingerplays: Halloween Fingerplays (An English and Spanish Fingerplay!)

We've been doing this week's finger play all month and really enjoying it. I've included the Spanish version as well for those who are looking for bilingual fingerplays.



There is also a book based on this fingerplay that might be fun to read as well.

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a fence (Hold up all five fingers over opposite forearm to mimic sitting on a fence)

The first one says "Oh my it's getting late" (Pantomime looking at watch or point to clock in the room)

The second one says: "There are witches in the air" (Point to the sky)

The third one says: "But we don't care" (Shrug)

The fourth one says: "Let's run and run and run" (turn in a circle)

The fifth one says: "I'm ready for some fun!"

Whooooosh! Goes the wind. (Wave hands like the wind)

Out goes the light (Give a loud clap)

Five little pumpkins rolling out of sight (roll hands and hide behind back)

The Spanish finger play version is below and the actions are the same as outlined above. (Desculpa la falta de acentos.)

Cinco Calabacitas

Cinco calabacitas sentadas en un porton.

La primera dijo: Se esta haciendo tarde"

La segunda dijo: "Hay brujas en el aire"

La tercera dijo: "No le hace"

La cuarta dijo:"Corramos, corramos"

La quinta dijo: "Es una noche de espanto"

Uuuuuuuu hizo el viento.

Y se apagaron las luces.

Las cinco calabacitas, corrieron a esconderse!

Friday Fingerplays: What Am I?

Here is a Halloween themed fingerplay for your little ones.

What Am I?

A face so round (Hands in a circle)

And eyes so bright (Point to eyes)

A nose that glows (Point to nose)

My, what a sight!

A fiery mouth (Point to mouth)

With a jolly grin (Grin)

No arms, no legs (shake legs and arms)

Just head to chin (touch forehead and chin)

What am I?

A Jack-O-Lantern!