If I were in charge of the world every early childhood teacher would do finger plays. Why? Finger plays nurture oral language, comprehension, small motor skills, short term memory, phonological awareness, math concepts, etcetera, etcetera. Finger plays can also be used to engage children’s attention and they are perfect for transition times.
What? index cards, book ring, copy of finger plays
How? Glue copies of finger plays to index cards and punch a hole in the upper left hand corner. Attach to a book ring and introduce one each week.
http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2010/07_Jul/pg00.html
Create a class book of finger plays by having children illustrate their favorites.
Send home copies of finger plays so parents can enjoy them with their children.
Note! Speech and language specialists emphasize the importance of doing these over and over and over again to improve fluency.
Here are five videos where you can learn how to do the finger plays. There’s really no right or wrong way to do them, so feel free to adapt motions that are comfortable to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f2d7BW3CzI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8XqpPYpNCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJZGoFWzPA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrIxnH8LXNQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC-r_pajb6I
