Fun foundations class: hands + fingers
So what's up with body parts:
- Around 13 to 14 months, your toddler will really start learning body parts, and get a kick out of being able to point to that tiny nose when you ask.
- Facial features are easiest to start with - he’s always putting his paws on your face (in case you haven’t noticed), and you probably already name body parts as your child touches them (saying “mouth” whenever those chubby fingers graze your lips).
- Explain what each body part does too as he’s feeling your face: “Eyes help us see” or “Ears help us hear.” This will help reinforce the differences between body parts and make them easier for your toddler to tell apart.
- Milestones related to body parts:
- 9-12 mos, MAY be able to ID 2 body parts (but don't freak out if not)
- At 12-15 mos, can ID 3 body parts on self or doll
- By 15-18 mos, can ID 6 body parts or clothing items on self or doll
- By 2 years, can ID around 10 body parts + starts to name them
- Ways to practice body parts
- Songs! Obviously! ;) See below for a few.
- Ask for you to show you his eyes (or other body part), then your eyes, then on a doll/pet
- Trace your feet/hands on a piece of paper, then ID body parts — like the thumb or pinky toe — together. You can also draw the outline of a face and fill in the features as you name them. I particularly love using our Fisher Price "Doodle Pro" Board for this.
- Point to the reflection of your child's body parts in a mirror, as well as to characters’ body parts in books, as you name each one. Giving your toddler a variety of ways to practice identifying body parts will make learning their names more fun for you both.
- As they get older
- Ask him which body part helps him run, and wait for him to show you his legs or feet. Then ask which one helps him talk, and pause for him to point out his mouth. If he needs a hint, point to the part and let him name it.
- Any game that lets toddlers burn energy is a good thing. So try some Simon Says with body-based directions ("Simon says, wiggle your fingers"), or do the hokey-pokey but keep it simple (say “Put your hand in” and save left and right for later).
skills + strategies discussed in class
Songs from hands class
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LYRICS FOR TOPS AND BOTTOMS: HAND WASHING SONG
Tune of Frere Jacques/Are You Sleeping) Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms In between, in between All around your hands, all around your hands Now they're clean, now they're clean |
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LYRICS FOR "5 FINGERS"
Thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky, Pinky, ring, middle, index and thumb. Thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky. Pinky, ring, middle, index and thumb. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1. (repeat) Thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky, Pinky, ring, middle, index and thumb. Thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky. Pinky, ring, middle, index and thumb. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1. (repeat) |
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LYRICS FOR "WIGGLE IT"
1. Touch your ear & wiggle it Touch your nose & wiggle it Touch your head and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle Wiggle it all around 2. Touch your shoulder & wiggle it - elbow - hand CHORUS: Let’s wiggle up high Wiggle down low Wiggle real fast Wiggle real slow 3. Touch your leg and wiggle it - knee - foot 4. hair - back - fingers CHORUS Come on let’s wiggle! Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle it! (x 4) CHORUS 5. Touch your ear & wiggle it - nose - head |
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LYRICS FOR "HANDS ARE FOR CLAPPING"
1. Hands are for clapping Clapping to this song Hands are for clapping Let's all clap along! 2. Toes are for tapping 3. Fingers are for snapping 4. Knees are for slapping 5. Teeth are for brushing |
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LYRICS FOR "WAKE UP FEET"
(could also use with HANDS) Wake up feet, wake up feet, Wake up feet and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle! Wake up feet, wake up feet, Wake up and wiggle in the morning! Could also try: • fingers • toes • nose |
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LYRICS FOR "WAVE ONE FOOT"
Jump High 1. Go up, go down Move your body all around Go up, go down And jump high 2. Sway side to side Now aren’t you happy you’re alive Sway side to side And jump high CHORUS: And can you throw your hands up in the air And see how long you can keep them there. And hug yourself/baby like a teddy bear And jump high, so high As high as you can go 3. Can you clap your hands? That tells me that you understand Clap your hands And jump high 4. And can you do a crazy dance? Don’t be afraid to take a chance Do a crazy dance And jump high CHORUS Repeat Verse 1 |
BOokS FOR TALKING ABOUT hands and fingers!
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Busy Fingers is the book we read in class. It is such a cute book for discussing all the things our hands and fingers can do! I also love the diversity portrayed in the book. I checked it out at the Holland public library.
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Another book for discussing about hands is Hands Can. The Holland library has this one also.
Hands can hold things. Hands can mold things. Hands can catch and hands can throw. |
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