Fingerplay is a great, no-cost way to spend fun bonding time with your child, learn together and prepare your little one for preschool. But many parents aren’t sure what fingerplay is, why it is important, and how to begin.

What is a Fingerplay

A fingerplay is a short poem, rhyme or occasionally a short story – that is either spoken or sung and involves · the use of hands and fingers to help “act” it all out. The movements may be gross, meaning they involve the entire hand in a large motion such as waving. Or they could be fine, where they involve smaller, more detailed movements of the fingers.

Why Is Fingerplay Important for Kids?

Fingerplay is critical for kids because it boosts:

• Oral language skills: When you are saying/singing the same song, sounds, and words, your child is expanding their oral language skills by “working out” their mouth muscles.
• Imagination: Fingerplays encourage children to use their imagination to visualise images in their mind to accompany the songs.
• Motor skills: At a young age, children must work hard to master their fine motor skills. Even before they master the act of gripping a pencil, children can build muscle strnth in their hands and fingers, and hand-eye coordination by mimicking fingerplays.
• Brain development: Research tells us that memorising songs and rhymes promotes healthy brain development.
• Social skills: When a child learns fingerplay at home, they are in a good position to enjoy those same songs and actions in a social setting at preschool.
• Engagement: Research reveals that engaging a child’s senses is a pathway to learning. Fingerplays do much more than just capture an active child’s attention. They stimulate his or her auditory, visual, and tactile senses. Fingerplays are also a form of kinesthetics learning, as children are encouraged to enjoy movement while participating in them. who find it difficult to engage with others, fingerplay is a low-intensity way to interact.
• Understanding: New concepts such as colours, shapes, movements, and more can be introduced through fingerplay songs.

Since children can pick up the actions without having to say or understand the words, fingerplay is a way for children of all ages, cultures, and abilities to enjoy a group activity.