Finger games are a wonderful activity that is fun for babies and adults alike. At the same time, finger games are a wonderful way to playfully support development.
The baby can't do anything yet - except drink its milk, fill its nappy, look around a bit and otherwise sleep, sleep, sleep? Far from it! Because babies also like to be entertained. Preferably with little finger games! Nothing promotes development better than that Play.
Finger games are a wonderful shared pleasure for parents and their babies. They bring enormous joy to both sides and strengthen the mutual emotional relationship. The child's feeling of safety and security will grow magnificently.
Another big plus point: finger games appeal to several of the baby's senses, such as hearing, sight, touch and feel. In this way, the child's mental and physical development is promoted "along the way". There's no better way to promote a child's development than with so much fun!
As soon as children understand how much fun recurring finger games are, they usually also realise that the most important thing always comes at the end: the "punch line". This is because many popular finger games end with a surprise or a little joke that the children wait for with excitement. Sometimes a whole play hand disappears, sometimes two fingers crawl up the baby's arm and tickle the child under the sleeve. Oooooh how beautiful and funny! Quite a few parents hear their child laugh out loud for the first time at this moment and gurgle with delight.
Positive effects of finger games
Finger games are playful activities that involve the use of fingers and hands and are accompanied by rhymes, songs or stories. These little games are usually short and simple and are particularly aimed at very young children.
Finger games have a long cultural tradition and are practised in many parts of the world. They have similar characteristics everywhere:
The Combination of movement and language: If you take a look at the brain, you will quickly discover why this combination of movement and speech is so effective in finger games: the speech centre in the human brain is located directly next to the centre for the motor skills of the hands.
It is therefore an invaluable advantage that finger games combine rhythmic movements of the fingers and hands with spoken or sung texts. This combination helps children to make a connection between words and actions. This is a fun way of developing not only motor skills, but also Language development The child becomes familiar with recurring sounds, syllables, words and sentence structures, which can be quickly recognised thanks to the rhythmic presentation. This expands the vocabulary and understanding of meaning of the little ones and also motivates them to imitate.
Simplicity of rhymes and songs: The texts of the finger games are often short and easy. Their simplicity, combined with frequent repetition, makes it easy for the little ones to make their first attempts at imitation and gradual participation.
Good Together: Finger games are wonderful interactive moments in which the child can actively participate over time. This makes the Communication between parents and baby - and later often between children themselves.
Strengthening various areas of development: In addition to language development and social interaction, finger games also support the development of fine motor skills and coordination through the movement of fingers and little hands. In addition, the rhythmic sense and Musicality The baby's sense of rhythm and melody is strengthened through the elements used. And finally, baby's memory, cognitive skills, imagination and ability to concentrate also benefit from finger play.
Finger games can be perfectly integrated into everyday life
Breastfeeding mothers often have it easier than those who bottle-feed their babies. This is because, in addition to the unique quality of Breast milk it offers another invaluable advantage: mums always have it with them and can feed their child anytime and anywhere without any fuss or additional equipment.
It is similar in the "entertainment area" for the child with the finger games: You don't need any utensils, no rattle, no cuddle cloth, no cuddly toy, just your fingers and hands. And you always have them with you! Whether you're changing nappies, in the waiting room at the paediatrician's surgery, cuddling, on holiday or visiting grandma - finger games can be played easily and conveniently anywhere.
Incidentally, the Prague psychologist Jaroslav Koch recognised back in the 1960s how much finger play promotes the healthy development of young children. This was later incorporated into the so-called Prague Parent-Child Programme (PEKiP). In this group educational concept, developed for the first year of a child's life, playing with fingers and rhymes is an important component.
There are finger games all over the world
Word has spread around the world that finger games have so many benefits for children. If you look around in other countries, you will often see animals depicted. In the USA One very popular game is "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", about the tiny spider that climbs up the sprinkler and makes friends with the rain and the sun. In France the hands of adults prefer to show little puppets, which can turn and hide beautifully in "Ainsi font, font, font". In a popular game in Japan a small dog is depicted with the hand, and in Spain the fingers play five little wolves. In Russia In turn, Mother Crow cooks a delicious porridge for all her (finger) children using finger play, while in India a lively little fish is the queen of the water.
Each finger play also reflects the cultural characteristics and traditions of the respective country. However, it remains a universal form of play that is used everywhere to entertain, encourage and educate children.
Finger games are available for all ages
You can introduce your babies to finger games from a very early age. Here is a rough age guide:
From 3 months: Very simple finger games (e.g. "This is the thumb...") in which you gently touch and/or move the child's hands and fingers. Babies can already perceive their surroundings better now, and they also react more perceptibly to voices and touch.
From 6 months: The child is already exploring its hands and fingers. Now it is also increasingly developing fine motor skills. They may now try to make the "ten little fidgets" fidget themselves, perhaps by raising their own little arms - delicious!
From 9 months: Many babies now react more specifically to gestures and movements and try to imitate them. Finger games that are rhythmic and repetitive support this stage of development. Why don't you try out what your child thinks of "Bake, bake cake", for example?
From 12 months: You will see how eagerly and actively your child now wants to be involved in finger games and can even perform small movements themselves. In some cases, your child will already be able to imitate sounds, syllables or even whole words from the accompanying rhymes.
However, it is important that you adapt the finger games to your child's stage of development and interests. After all, every baby develops at their own pace and should be allowed to do so. And even very young children already have their likes and dislikes.
My tip: Try out different finger games and see what your child likes. It's impossible to tell after just one try. Therefore, give your baby the chance to familiarise themselves with this "entertainment programme" and find their favourites by repeating them regularly and incorporating them into your daily routine. You'll soon find out what these favourites are.
It is also important to play the finger games at a moderate pace and in a positive and relaxed atmosphere. This is the best way to encourage your child's interest and enjoyment.
Here you will find lovely finger games that you can try out together.
Examples from Germany
Probably the best-known finger game in Germany is the story of the thumb that shakes the plums (from around three months). You gently shake your baby's finger with each line of the rhyme:
This is the thumb (thumb)
He shakes the plums (index finger)
He picks them up (middle finger)
He brings them home (ring finger)
And he eats them all! (little finger)
Of course, the little ones don't yet know what little "fidgets" mean. Nevertheless, many of them are already intently following the "ten little fidgets", which their mum or dad makes fidget, disappear and reappear with all their fingers in front of their baby's eyes (from around six months):
Ten little fidgets fidget back and forth.
Ten little fidgets don't find this difficult at all.
Ten little fidgets wriggle up and down.
Ten little fidgets do this again and again.
Ten little fidgets wriggle all around.
Ten little fidgets, they're not mute at all.
Ten little fidgets play hide and seek.
Ten little fidgets are gone at once.
Ten little fidgets shout loudly: "Hooray!"
Ten little fidgets are back.
When changing nappies, after a baby bath or when applying cream, little ones also love this rhyme in which your fingers first crawl up the baby's leg, then gently tickle the tummy and finally quickly run down the leg again:
When a little mouse comes, it goes into the little house.
Get butter, get bacon.
Then run away, run away, run away!
The little fly, which you can buzz in front of your child's eyes and then let land somewhere on baby's body, can also trigger storms of enthusiasm. In the end, it lands on the baby's nose:
The little fly buzzes, buzzes, buzzes
Flies around your head.
Feels so at home with you
Resting on its nose (previously e.g. on the child's tummy, leg, knee etc.)
Young babies also love the bunny-nose kiss game. Your fingers move over baby's tummy to the chin and tickle it very gently. When you say 'bunny nose kiss', the tip of your nose touches the tip of your child's nose:
Comes a cute little bunny
Gives the sweet little nose
With lots of love and enjoyment
A bunny-nose kiss
Around the first year of life, the following fun particularly promotes the child's language development. This is because they will now listen very carefully to what the five ghosts (each pointing a finger) are saying - and will soon be able to join in with the exclamations:
Five ghosts crouch in front of the window.
The first one screams: Haaaa!
The second one screams: Heeee!
The third screams: Hiiii!
The fourth screams: Hoooo!
The fifth screams: Huuuuu!
And what are you doing?
There are endless variations of finger games, including for special occasions or at different times of the year. Whether it's "Himpelchen und Pimpelchen", a little mouse, ten fidget spinners or five ghosts - you're sure to know many more finger games. Or simply take a look on the Internet, where you can also discover lots of ideas. Have fun!
