Singing is a big part of our classroom. To help the children make the transition from one activity to another, fingerplays and action songs are used. They are also used in large group settings. These simple little songs help foster language.
Here is a short column on fingerplays and action songs:
Rhymes and movements for the hands and fingers, some of which date back almost 2,000 years, are still used in early childhood classrooms, as well as the more modern action songs that involve the whole body.
As children learn fingerplays and action songs, they learn the names of the body parts, numbers, and shapes. They also learn other concepts and skills, including:
Manual dexterity and muscle control
Sense of rhythm of speech and music
New vocabulary
Grasp of order and sequence
Increased attention spans
Listening skills