Chapter 1

Produced by Suzanne Shell, Linda Cantoni, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. Music transcribed by Linda Cantoni. This e-book was created from a 1971 reprint published by Dover Publications, Inc., New York.

[Transcriber's Note: The original book contains illustrations of the hand gestures for the finger plays. In this plaintext e-book, the gestures are described in brackets unless they are explained in, or are obvious from, the original.]

FINGER PLAYS

FOR NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN

BY

EMILIE POULSSON

_Music By_

CORNELIA C. ROESKE

_Illustrations By_ L.J. BRIDGMAN

[D. Lothrop Company Boston 1893]

PREFACE.

"What the child imitates," says Froebel, "he begins to understand. Let him represent the flying of birds and he enters partially into the life of birds. Let him imitate the rapid motion of fishes in the water and his sympathy with fishes is quickened. Let him reproduce the activities of farmer, miller and baker, and his eyes open to the meaning of their work. In one word let him reflect in his play the varied aspects of life and his thought will begin to grapple with their significance."

In all times and among all nations, finger-plays have been a delight of childhood. Countless babies have laughed and crowed over "Pat-a-cake" and other performances of the soft little hands; while children 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, that finger-plays depend for their _raison d'etre_. By their judicious and early use, the development of strength and flexibility in the tiny lax fingers may be assisted, and dormant thought may receive its first awakening call through the motions which interpret as well as illustrate the phase of life or activity presented by the words.

The eighteen finger-plays contained in this book have already, through publication in BABYLAND, been introduced to their especial public, and have been much used in homes, though perhaps more in kindergartens. It will readily be seen that while some of the plays are for the babies in 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 children seven or eight years of age play and sing "The Caterpillar," "How the Corn Grew" and others with very evident enjoyment.

With a little study of the charming and expressive pictures with which the artist, Mr. L.J. Bridgman, has so sympathetically illustrated the rhymes, mothers and kindergartners have easily understood what motions were intended. To elucidate still farther, however, the playing of "The Merry Little Men" may be thus described:

During the singing of the first verse, the children look about in every direction for the "little men," but keep the hands hidden. At the beginning of the second verse, raise both hands to full view with fingers outspread and quiet. At the words, "The first to come," etc., let the thumbs be shown alone, then the others as named in turn, till all are again outspread as at the beginning of the second verse. In the last verse the arms are moved from side to side, hands being raised and fingers fluttering nimbly all the time. When displaying the "busy little men," raise the hands as high as possible.

The music, composed by Miss Cornelia C. Roeske, will be found melodious and attractive and especially suited to the voices and abilities of the very young children for whom it is chiefly intended.

The harmonic arrangement is also purposely simple in consideration of the many mothers and kindergartners who cannot devote time to preparatory practice.

EMILIE POULSSON.

_Boston_, 1889.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. THE LITTLE MEN 9

II. THE LAMBS 14

III. THE HEN AND CHICKENS 17

IV. THE LITTLE PLANT 21

V. THE PIGS 25

VI. A LITTLE BOY'S WALK 29

VII. THE CATERPILLAR 33

VIII. ALL FOR BABY 37

IX. THE MICE 41

X. THE SQUIRREL 45

XI. THE SPARROWS 49

XII. THE COUNTING LESSON 53

XIII. MRS. PUSSY'S DINNER 57

XIV. HOW THE CORN GREW 61

XV. THE MILL 65

XVI. MAKING BREAD 69

XVII. MAKING BUTTER 73

XVIII. SANTA CLAUS 77

DEDICATED

TO

LITTLE CHILDREN

AT HOME AND IN KINDERGARTEN

_BY THEIR FRIEND_,

EMILIE POULSSON.

I.--THE LITTLE MEN.

Oh! where are the merry, merry Little Men To join us in our play? And where are the busy, busy Little Men To help us work to-day?

Upon each hand A little band For work or play is ready. The first to come Is Master Thumb; Then Pointer, strong and steady;

Then Tall Man high; And just close by The Feeble Man doth linger; And last of all, So fair and small, The baby--Little Finger.

Yes! here are the merry, merry Little Men To join us in our play; And here are the busy, busy Little Men To help us work to-day.

[Music: THE MERRY LITTLE MEN.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

Oh! where are the merry, merry Little Men To join us in our play? And where are the busy, busy Little Men To help us work to-day?

Upon each hand A little band For work or play is ready. The first to come Is Master Thumb; Then Pointer, strong and steady;

Then Tall Man high; And just close by The Feeble Man doth linger; And last of all, So fair and small, The baby--Little Finger.

Yes! here are the merry, merry Little Men To join us in our play; And here are the busy, busy Little Men To help us work to-day.]

II.--THE LAMBS.

This is the meadow where all the long day Ten little frolicsome lambs are at play.

These are the measures the good farmer brings Salt in, or cornmeal, and other good things.

This is the lambkins' own big water-trough; Drink, little lambkins, and then scamper off!

This is the rack where in winter they feed; Hay makes a very good dinner indeed.

These are the big shears to shear the old sheep; Dear little lambkins their soft wool may keep.

Here, with its big double doors shut so tight, This is the barn where they all sleep at night.

[Music: THE LAMBS.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. This is the meadow where all the long day Ten little frolicsome lambs are at play. These are the measures the good farmer brings Salt in, or corn meal, and other good things.]

2. This is the lambkins' own big water-trough; Drink, little lambkins, and then scamper off! This is the rack where in winter they feed; Hay makes a very good dinner indeed.

3. These are the big shears to shear the old sheep; Dear little lambkins their soft wool may keep. Here, with its big double doors shut so tight, This is the barn where they all sleep at night.

III.--THE HEN AND CHICKENS.

Good Mother Hen sits here on her nest, Keeps the eggs warm beneath her soft breast, Waiting, waiting, day after day.

Hark! there's a sound she knows very well: Some little chickens are breaking the shell, Pecking, pecking, pecking away.

Now they're all out, Oh, see what a crowd! Good Mother Hen is happy and proud, Cluck-cluck, cluck-cluck, clucking away.

Into the coop the mother must go; But all the chickens run to and fro, Peep-peep, peep-peep, peeping away.

Here is some corn in my little dish; Eat, Mother Hen, eat all that you wish, Picking, picking, picking away.

Happy we'll be to see you again, Dear little chicks and good Mother Hen! Now good-by, good-by for to-day.

[Music: THE HEN AND CHICKENS.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. Good Mother Hen sits here on her nest, Keeps the eggs warm beneath her soft breast, Waiting, waiting, day after day.

2. Hark! there's a sound she knows very well: Some little chickens breaking the shell, Pecking, pecking, pecking away.

3. Now they're all out, oh, see what a crowd! Good Mother Hen is happy and proud, Cluck-cluck, cluck-cluck, clucking away.]

4. Into the coop the mother must go; While all the chickens run to and fro, Peep-peep, peep-peep, peeping away.

5. Here is some corn in my little dish; Eat, Mother Hen, eat all that you wish. Picking, picking, picking away.

6. Happy we'll be to see you again, Dear little chicks and good Mother Hen! Now good-bye, good-bye for to-day.

IV.--THE LITTLE PLANT.

In my little garden bed Raked so nicely over, First the tiny seeds I sow, Then with soft earth cover.

Shining down, the great round sun Smiles upon it often; Little raindrops, pattering down, Help the seeds to soften.

Then the little plant awakes! Down the roots go creeping. Up it lifts its little head Through the brown mould peeping.

High and higher still it grows Through the summer hours, Till some happy day the buds Open into flowers.

[Music: THE LITTLE PLANT.

EMILIE POULSSON.

C.C. ROESKE.

1. In my little garden bed Rak'd so nicely over, First the tiny seeds I sow, Then with soft earth cover. Shining down, the great round sun Smiles upon it often; Little raindrops, patt'ring down, Help the seeds to soften.

2. Then the little plant awakes! Down the roots go creeping. Up it lifts its little head Thro' the brown mould peeping. High and higher still it grows Thro' the summer hours, Till some happy day the buds Open into flowers.]

V.--THE PIGS.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee, Hungry pigs as pigs could be, For their dinner had to wait Down behind the barnyard gate.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee Climbed the barnyard gate to see, Peeping through the gate so high, But no dinner could they spy.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee Got down sad as pigs could be; But the gate soon opened wide And they scampered forth outside.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee, What was their delight to see Dinner ready not far off-- Such a full and tempting trough!

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee, Greedy pigs as pigs could be, For their dinner ran pell-mell; In the trough both piggies fell.

[Music: THE PIGS.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee, Hungry pigs as pigs could be, For their dinner had to wait Down behind the barnyard gate.]

2. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee Climbed the barnyard gate to see, Peeping through the gate so high, But no dinner could they spy.

3. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee Got down sad as pigs could be; But the gate soon opened wide And they scampered forth outside.

4. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee, What was their delight to see Dinner ready not far off-- Such a full and tempting trough!

5. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee, Greedy pigs as pigs could be, For their dinner ran pell-mell; In the trough both piggies fell.

VI.--A LITTLE BOY'S WALK.

A little boy went walking One lovely summer's day: He saw a little rabbit That quickly ran away;

He saw a shining river Go winding in and out, And little fishes in it Were swimming all about;

And, slowly, slowly turning, The great wheel of the mill; And then the tall church steeple, The little church so still;

The bridge above the water; And when he stopped to rest, He saw among the bushes A wee ground-sparrow's nest.

And as he watched the birdies Above the tree-tops fly, He saw the clouds a-sailing Across the sunny sky.

He saw the insects playing; The flowers that summer brings; He said, "I'll go tell mamma! I've seen _so many_ things!"

[Music: A LITTLE BOY'S WALK.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

A little boy went walking One lovely summer's day: He saw a little rabbit That quickly ran away; He saw a shining river Go winding in and out, And little fishes in it Were swimming all about.

And slowly, slowly turning, The great wheel of the mill; And then the tall church steeple, The little church so still; The bridge above the water; And when he stopped to rest, He saw among the bushes A wee ground-sparrow's nest,

And as he watched the birdies Above the tree-tops fly, He saw the clouds a-sailing Across the sunny sky. He saw the insects playing; The flowers that summer brings; He said, "I'll go tell Mamma! I've seen _so many_ things."]

VII.--THE CATERPILLAR.

Fuzzy little caterpillar, Crawling, crawling on the ground! Fuzzy little caterpillar, Nowhere, nowhere to be found, Though we've looked and looked and hunted Everywhere around!

When the little caterpillar Found his furry coat too tight, Then a snug cocoon he made him Spun of silk so soft and light; Rolled himself away within it-- Slept there day and night.

See how this cocoon is stirring! Now a little head we spy-- What! Is _this_ our caterpillar Spreading gorgeous wings to dry? Soon the free and happy creature Flutters gayly by.

[Music: THE CATERPILLAR.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. Fuzzy little caterpillar, Crawling, crawling on the ground! Fuzzy little caterpillar, Nowhere, nowhere to be found, Tho' we've looked and looked and hunted Everywhere around!

2. When the little caterpillar Found his furry coat too tight, Then a snug cocoon he made him Spun of silk so soft and light; Rolled himself away within it-- Slept there day and night.

3. See how this cocoon is stirring! Now a little head we spy-- What! is _this_ our caterpillar Spreading gorgeous wings to dry? Soon the free and happy creature Flutters gaily by.]

VIII.--ALL FOR BABY.

Here's a ball for Baby, Big and soft and round! Here is Baby's hammer-- O, how he can pound!

Here is Baby's music-- Clapping, clapping so! Here are Baby's soldiers, Standing in a row!

Here's the Baby's trumpet, Toot-too-toot! too-too! Here's the way that Baby Plays at "Peep-a-boo!"

Here's a big umbrella-- Keep the Baby dry! Here's the Baby's cradle-- Rock-a-baby-by!

[Music: ALL FOR BABY.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. Here's a ball for Baby, Big and soft and round! Here is Baby's hammer-- O, how he can pound!]

2. Here is Baby's music Clapping, clapping so! Here are Baby's soldiers, Standing in a row!

3. Here's the Baby's trumpet, Toot-too-toot! too-too! Here's the way that Baby Plays at "Peep-a-boo!"

4. Here's a big umbrella-- Keeps the Baby dry! Here's the Baby's cradle-- Rock-a-baby by!

IX.--THE MICE.

Five little mice on the pantry floor, Seeking for bread-crumbs or something more;

Five little mice on the shelf up high, Feasting so daintily on a pie--

But the big round eyes of the wise old cat See what the five little mice are at.

Quickly she jumps!--but the mice run away, And hide in their snug little holes all day.

"Feasting in pantries may be very nice; But home is the best!" say the five little mice.

[Music: FIVE LITTLE MICE.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. Five little mice on the pantry floor, Seeking for bread crumbs or something more; Five little mice on the shelf up high, Feasting so daintily on a pie-- But the big round eyes of the wise old cat See what the five little mice are at. Quickly she jumps! but the mice run away. And hide in their snug little holes all day. "Feasting in pantries may be very nice; But home is the best!" say the five little mice.]

X.--THE SQUIRREL

"Little squirrel, living there In the hollow tree, I've a pretty cage for you; Come and live with me!

"You may turn the little wheel-- That will be great fun! Slowly round, or very fast If you faster run.

"Little squirrel, I will bring In my basket here Every day a feast of nuts! Come, then, squirrel dear."

But the little squirrel said From his hollow tree: "Oh! no, no! I'd rather far Live here and be free!"

So my cage is empty yet, And the wheel is still; But my little basket here Oft with nuts I fill.

If you like, I'll crack the nuts, Some for you and me, For the squirrel has enough In his hollow tree.

[Music: THE SQUIRREL.

EMILIE POULSSON.

CORNELIA C. ROESKE.

1. "Little Squirrel, living there In the hollow tree, I've a pretty cage for you; Come and live with me! You may turn the little wheel-- That will be great fun! Slowly round, or very fast If you faster run."

2. "Little Squirrel, I will bring In my basket here Every day a feast of nuts! Come then, squirrel dear." But the little squirrel said From his hollow tree: "Oh! no, no! I'd rather far Live here and be free."

3. So my cage is empty yet And the wheel is still; But my little basket here Oft with nuts I fill. If you like, I'll crack the nuts, Some for you and me, For the squirrel has enough In his hollow tree.]

XI.--THE SPARROWS.

"Little brown sparrows, Flying around, Up in the tree-tops, Down on the ground,

"Come to my window, Dear sparrows, come! See! I will give you Many a crumb.

"Here is some water, Sparkling and clear; Come, little sparrows, Drink without fear.

"If you are tired, Here is a nest; Wouldn't you like to Come here to rest?"