Written by Educator Julie Ismert
Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am.
Here I am.
How are you today sir?
Very well I thank you.
Run away. Run away.
Where is Pointer? Where is Pointer?
Where is Tallman? Where is Tallman?
Where is Ringman? Where is Ringman?
Where is Pinky? Where is Pinky?
The game “Where Is Thumbkin” is a fun and whimsical song that teaches children the names of the fingers on their hands. It also encourages fine motor skills and coordination to put just one finger up at a time while they are singing the song. Children love the idea of “hiding” their hands behind their back and having the fingers reappear to “talk” to each other.
When I was a young mother, I thought it was just a cute song and never understood how much a child could learn from something as simple as a finger play. As a teacher who has taught at ECC for the last 18 years, I know the benefits of these catchy tunes. Finger plays help children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children need good fine motor skills to foster independence so they can get dressed by themselves, brush their teeth, feed themselves, etc. As they get older and build more strength in their hands, these fine motor skills will evolve to include drawing, writing, cutting, painting and more.
Finger plays are fun for children of all ages. You can find these on YouTube if you aren’t sure about the song or the hand motions. Here are a few more you can try at home:
- Five Little Monkeys
- Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Baby Shark
- Open Shut Them
- Five Green and Speckled Frogs
- The Wheels on the Bus
The more you do these with your child, you will soon see the benefits of finger plays with your little one.