- Blog By
Ms. Sumita Sen Mazumdar
Editor – Content & Academic Coordinator – KG
The Indian Public School
March 3, 2020 | In Blog 
WHY SPECIFICALLY FINGER RHYMES AND NOT JUST NURSERY RHYMES?
Nursery rhymes in various languages have been around in the world for as far back as the world can remember through documented accounts in history. Many rhymes trace back to centuries ago with fascinating stories as to how they originated and why they have been propagated generation after generation. The facts behind the rhymes may no longer be relevant in the modern world, but the rhymes themselves have survived as a tool for engaging and teaching language, music, rhythm, etc., to young children. Finger rhymes or fingerplay rhymes are simply nursery rhymes that incorporate movement of the hand and fingers along with the rhyme instead of just singing it out loud. The added dimension of movement, other than making it much more lively, helps to hold a child’s attention for a longer span of time than a regular rhyme. This is also a natural and easy way to strengthen hand muscles and develop fine motor coordination. Some of the popular PRESCHOOL rhymes of today are:
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF THE FINGER RHYMES ABOVE AND MANY MORE LIKE THESE ARE:
1. Vocabulary building & faster language development as children learn effortlessly through repetition of the finger rhyme.
2. The opportunities for including crossing midline activities are ample. These activities promote coordination and communication of the left and right hemispheres of the brain as well as bilateral coordination.
3. Strengthens the arm, hand and wrist; promotes finger dexterity and grasping motion, both pincer and palmar.
4. Enhanced memory retention and recall.
5. Learning how to count.
6. Development of gross & fine motor movements.
7. Improvement of hand-eye coordination & foot-eye coordination.
8. Gives greater confidence in social interaction.
9. Better body awareness and visual-spatial skills.
10. Learning about opposites like big-small, near-far, etc.
11. Learning the importance of following a sequence.
12. Foundation for rhyming, rhythm and alliteration.
13. Encourages imaginative exploration as children create a picture in their head associated with a particular finger rhyme.
14. Executive functions or cognitive abilities are developed as children naturally begin to understand the importance of self-regulation & impulse control when they complete a finger rhyme from start to finish.
WHEN ARE CHILDREN MOST RECEPTIVE TO FINGER RHYMES?
Between the ages of 2.5 to 6 years, children are naturally best suited to learn through finger rhymes as this is the stage when they are most sensitive to sounds, language, order or repetitive learning, as well as the social aspects of life, and learning through the senses. Finger play is a fun, multisensory way of learning that gets children’s attention and helps them to focus while learning too. At preschool, a new finger rhyme can be introduced every week depending on learning milestones for the group of children and how quickly the children can grasp the words and actions.
