Fantastic finger rhymes – why wiggling fingers is great for development

Finger rhymes aren’t just fun to share, they are also a brilliant way to support lots of skills.  

Froebel’s finger plays – songs and rhymes can help build relationships 

Eighteenth century German educator, Fredrich Froebel, was a pioneer of early years education. He believed that young children learn about the world through direct experience and need to spend time playing and in natural environments.^[1] 

He also believed that rhymes and songs could help to build relationships between children and the people who care for them – an idea supported by more recent research too.^[2] In fact, one of Froebel's last publications was a book of 'finger plays' – a selection of songs and rhymes for parents with babies and young children, many of which are still enjoyed today.^[2]  

Your toddler will begin to understand that their fingers represent other things when they share a finger rhyme 

Finger rhymes can help your toddler understand that words can be represented with an action, or gesture. This understanding that wriggling fingers represent Incy Wincy spider might not seem very significant, but this shows that your toddler has some understanding of symbols – which is an important part of reading, writing and maths.  

Finger rhymes help to build your toddler’s strength, control and co-ordination 

Moving their hands and fingers in different ways helps your toddler develop their fine motor skills, so will help them develop the control they need for using pens, pencils and other small tools.  

When you choose rhymes to share with your toddler, choose ones you both enjoy but perhaps also think about the different ways they encourage your toddler to move their fingers. Some rhymes might encourage your toddler to move their fingers one at a time (quite tricky for them now), or all together.  

You could even set up your phone and record a video when you say rhymes together – then in a few months you’ll see how your toddler is more able to control their fingers!  

References: 

[1] Early Education (not dated). Who was Fredrich Froebel (1782-1852). Available at: https://early-education.org.uk/friedrich-froebel 

[2] Dyke, J. (not dated). A Frobelian Approach, Songs Rhymes and Finger Plays. Froebel Trust. Available at: https://www.froebel.org.uk/uploads/documents/FT-Songs-Rhymes-and-Finger-Plays-Pamphlet.pdf