Transcriber’s Notes
This e-book was created from a modern reprint. Originalpublisher information has been added in brackets below. Aheader image for “The Lambs” is missing in the original.
Midi, PDF, and MusicXML files have been provided for the songs in thise-book. To hear a song, click on the [Listen] link. To view a song insheet-music form, click on the [PDF] link. To view MusicXML code for asong, click on the [MusicXML] link. Lyrics contained in the musicimage are set forth in text below the image.
The picture parts of this e-book are best viewed at normal or mediumtext size.
FINGER PLAYS
FOR NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN
By
Emilie Poulsson
Music By
Cornelia C. Roeske
Illustrations By L.J. Bridgman
[D. Lothrop Company, Boston, 1893]
“WHAT THE CHILD IMITATES, HE BEGINS TOUNDERSTAND.”—Froebel.
PREFACE.
“What the child imitates,” says Froebel, “he begins to understand. Lethim represent the flying of birds and he enters partially into thelife of birds. Let him imitate the rapid motion of fishes in the waterand his sympathy with fishes is quickened. Let him reproduce theactivities of farmer, miller and baker, and his eyes open to themeaning of their work. In one word let him reflect in his play thevaried aspects of life and his thought will begin to grapple withtheir significance.”
In all times and among all nations, finger-plays have been a delightof childhood. Countless babies have laughed and crowed over“Pat-a-cake” and other performances of the soft little hands; whilechildren of whatever age never fail to find amusement in playing
| “Here is the church, And here’s the steeple, Open the doors, And here are the people!” |
and others as well known.
Yet it is not solely upon the pleasure derived from them, thatfinger-plays depend for their raison d’etre. By their judicious andearly use, the development of strength and flexibility in the tiny laxfingers may be assisted, and dormant thought may receive its firstawakening call through the motions which interpret as well asillustrate the phase of life or activity presented by the words.
The eighteen finger-plays contained in this book have already, throughpublication in Babyland, been introduced to their especial public, andhave been much used in homes, though perhaps more in kindergartens. Itwill readily be seen that while some of the plays are for the babiesin the nursery, others are more suitable for older children.
A baby-friend, ten months old, plays “All for Baby” throughout,pounding and clapping gleefully with all his might—while childrenseven or eight years