Favorite rhymes and finger plays

Homes
A nest is a home for a bird. (cup hands to form a nest.)

A hive is a home for a bee. (turn cupped hands over.)

A hole is a home for a rabbit. (make a hole with hands.)

And a house is a home for me. (Peaked hands like roof.)

Good Morning

Good morning world, I’ve had my rest (Stretch and rub eyes)

Cardinal’s waking in her nest (cup hands to form nest)

Bees wake up and fly away (flutter fingers up)

Bunny’s hopping out to play (hop hand on the ground)

One, Two, Three, Four, Five

West loves the anticipation of the fish biting his finger.

One, two, three, four, five, (hold up fingers one by one, while counting)
Once I caught a fish alive. (put hands together and wiggle like a fish)
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, (hold up fingers one by one, while counting)
Then I threw it back again. (make throwing motion)

Why did you let it go? (hold hands out asking why)
Because it bit my finger so. (shake hand, as if hurt)
Which finger did it bite? (hold hands out asking why)
This little finger on my right. (wiggle pinky finger)

Roll Your Hands

West gets such a kick out of going slow then fast.

 Roll your hands so slowly, (roll hands)
As slowly as can be.
Roll your hands so slowly,
Then fold them just like me.

Roll your hands so quickly,
As quickly as can be.
Roll your hands so quickly,
Then fold them just like me.

Clap your hands so softly, (clap hands)
Softly as can be.
Clap your hands so softly,
Then fold them just like me.

Clap your hands so loudly,
Loudly as can be.
Clap your hands so loudly,
Then fold them just like me.

 

 

Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Thumbkin? (put both hands behind back)
Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am. (bring one thumb out front)
Here I am. (bring other thumb out front)

How are you today sir? (bend one thumb as if talking to the other)
Very well I thank you. (bend other thumb as if talking back)
Run away. (put first thumb behind back)
Run away. (Put other thumb behind back)

Repeat with: Pointer, Tall Man, Ring Man, Small Man.

 

 

The Nobel Duke of York

(sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell) We do this one as a 'knee ride'. I sit on the floor with my legs straight out and one of the kids sits on my knees then I bounce my knees up and down to the song.

The noble duke of York

He had ten thousand men

He marched them up to the top of the hill

Then marched them down again

And when you’re up you’re up

And when you’re down you’re down

And when you’re only half way up

You’re neither up nor down