Preschool Fingerplays

Preschool fingerplays aren't just fun to do, they also help children manipulate the muscles of the hand and develop their fine motor skills, which are required for school readiness.

Children love fingerplay verses and action nursery rhymes as they combine words with actions, expressed by using their fingers and hands. These also provide the opportunity to increase the manual dexterity and coordination of children whilst encouraging them to use their imaginations.

This Little Pig
Five Little Mice
1-2-3-4-5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive
Round and Round the Garden
Here's the Church
Incy, Wincy Spider

This Little Pig (use fingers or toes)

This little pig went to market.
This little pig stayed at home.
This little pig had roast beef.
This little pig had none
And this little pig cried, "Wee, wee,"
All the way home.

Five Little Mice (use fingers or toes)

This little mousie peeped within
This little mousie walked right in!
This little mousie came to play,
This little mousie ran away!
This little mousie cried, "Dear me!"
Dinner is done and it's time for tea!"

1-2-3-4-5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive

1-2-3-4-5 Once I caught a fish alive
6-7-8-9-10 Then I let him go again.
Why did you let him go?
Because he bit my finger so.
Which finger did he bite?
This little finger on my right.

Round and Round the Garden

Round and round the garden (circle your finger on the palm of child's hand)
Goes the teddy bear
One step, two steps (walk your fingers up her arm)
Tickle him under there. (Tickle her armpit)

Here's the Church

Here's the church, and here's the steeple
Open the door and see all the people.
Here's the parson going upstairs,
And here he is saying his prayers.

Incy, Wincy Spider

Incy, wincy spider climbed the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain.
Incy, wincy spider climbed up the spout again.

Do You Know?

The Benefits of Preschool Songs and Nursery Rhymes

Find out why seeming nonsense verses about fanciful characters offer many benefits to children and opportunities to learn key skills for effective communication and success in adult life. Also read why memorization is an essential Preschool Language Activity