Fingerplays and Action Rhymes for Young Learners

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Spend any amount of time in an early childhood classroom, and you'll quickly realize that it's only natural for young children to be active. Fingerplays and action rhymes captivate young students and help teachers channel their natural energy and enthusiasm into meaningful learning experiences. Fingerplays and action rhymes also help even beginning English language learners associate words and phrases with meaning.

	All By Myself
	actions; classroom routine; includes teaching strategies
	The Beehive
	the question "Where?"; number concepts (1-5); includes teaching strategies
	The Elephant
	physical descriptions; includes teaching strategies
	Five Little Monkeys
	number concepts (1-5); counting backwords
	Five Little Firefighters
	occupations; actions
	Grandma's Glasses
	accessories; differences; includes teaching strategies
	Jack in the Box
	concepts of "in" and "out"
	Mix a Pancake
	simple actions; describing a process
	My Family
	immediate family relationships; includes teaching strategies
	Open Them, Shut Them
	open/shut/clap/fold; a good activity to prepare for a quiet story, teaching, or snack time
	Right Hand, Left Hand
	teaches right and left; includes teaching strategies
	Sleepy Caterpillars
	natural processes; vocabulary--caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly; includes teaching strategies
	Tall and Small
	adjectives; opposites
	Teatime
	simple actions; vocabulary--cup, pot, pour, drink; includes teaching strategies
	Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
	simple actions
	There Was a Little Turtle
	past tense; contrast; includes teaching strategies

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