This document provides information about finger plays and pantomime activities for preschool children. It discusses how finger plays use simple actions and finger movements to help children develop memory and language skills. Examples of popular finger plays are provided, including "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Five Little Monkeys." The document also defines and compares mime and pantomime, noting that pantomime revolves around character and plot while mime focuses more on movement. Key elements of preparing and presenting effective pantomimes are outlined.

1. DRAMATIC &CREATIVE READING ACTIVITIES
-Finger Play
-Pantomime
Prepared By:
KRISTINEANN B. DEJESUS
BEED 4-23

3. FINGER PLAYS
Finger plays and rhymes come to life during
circle andlarge grouptimes as preschool children
show word meaning through simpleactions and
finger movements. Preschoolers developmemory
and recall skillsas they sing and recite the songs and
poems in this curriculumresourcecollection.

4. FINGER PLAYS
o Fingerplays, action poems, nursery rhymes, and songs are
grouped according to early childhood education themes.
o Finger play songs are children’s songs thatare designed to be
accompanied by hand movementsthatrelate to the content.

5. Finger plays and action rhymes are brief
stories—often with rhymes— that are
paired with finger or body motions.
Finger plays and action rhymes help
toddlers learn about rhyming words and
poetry. They get toddlers to listen, speak,
and pair words with actions.

6. Sometimes a toddler says a
rhyme and uses his/her fingers,
hands, or body to “act it out.”
When s/he does these things, s/he
is playing a finger play or action
rhyme.

7. • Finger plays and action rhymes can be about any
subject that interests your toddler.
• If the finger play or action rhyme is a new one,
teach it with pleasure.
• Repeatthe finger play or action rhyme slowly.
You start the finger play or action rhyme.

8. • Let the toddler lead the finger play or action
rhyme as muchas possible, even if s/he
makesmistakes.
• Trying new finger plays or actionrhymes is
funfor the toddler, but don’t forget the old
favorites.
• Encouragethe toddler to try finger plays and
action rhymes.

9. Finger play Songs that Tell aStory
Some of the most popular fingerplay songs in the United
States are probably:
1.The Eensy-WeensySpider—whichhas several variant
spellings including“ItsyBitsy Spider”
2. I Had a LittleTurtle
3. This Little Piggy
4. WhereIs Thumbkin?

10. Finger playSongs About Everyday Things
and Counting
Other finger play songs repeat basic
information about life, without telling a story.
1. The Wheels on the Bus
2. Here are Grandma’s Spectacles
3. Open, Shut Them
4. If You’re Happy and You Know It
5. I’m a Little Teapot

11. Finger playSongs for Long Trips
The sequence of movements provides a balance for
the large motor movements in many singing games
and dances.
1. Skip to My Lou
2. The Hokey Pokey
and circle games:
1. Lucy Locket,
2. Ring Around the Rosie
3. Farmer in the Dell
4. Hot Potato,
5. Duck Duck Goose!

12. 1. Eensey Weensey Spider
Some people say “itsy bitsy”, some
people say “incy wincy. This song is a
staple in classrooms and homes
worldwide.

13. 2. Five Little Monkeys
Those monkeys jumping on the bed
and refusing to go to sleep. Kids can
relate to this song, and are sure to
giggle at the idea.

14. 3. Wheels on the Bus
This song can be sung over and over. This
song can be done as a finger play, or, if
space is available, act it out with chairs, a
bus driver and passengers.

15. 4. Rock, Scissors, Paper
It is great for using your imagination to
come up with all kinds of fun
combinations. This song also helps teach
left and right. Using just the three symbols
of rock (fist), scissors (two fingers
extended) or paper (hand open with
fingers extended), make various foods,
animals and other common objects.

16. 5. Open Shut Them
This is a classic kids’ song that
has been around for a long
time.

17. I CAUGHT A FISH
One, two, three, four, five. -(Hold up fingers one at a time on right
hand.)
I caught a fish alive.- (Cup hands and pretend to catch a fish.)
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,- (Hold up fingers one at a time on left
hand.)
I let it go again.- (Pretend to release the fish.)
Why did you let that fishy go?- (Cock head to one side.)
Because it bit my finger so. - (Shake head.)
Which finger did it bite? – (Cock head to one side.)
My little finger on my right.- (Hold up right pinky.)

18. MONKEYS AND
ALLIGATOR
Five little monkeys- (Hold up 5 fingers.)
Swinging from a tree, Teasing Mr. Alligator, -(Point finger as if teasing.)
“Can’t catch me! You can’t catch me!”- (Shake head “no.”)
Along came Mr. Alligator quiet as can be -(Put palms together and
slowly, move like an alligator.)
And snatched a monkey right out of the tree! - (Open and clap palms
as if chomping on something.)
Four…three…two…one
“Missed me, missed me!-(Put open hands on either side of your head
and wiggle.)
Now you gotta kiss me!”

19. Tommy Thumb
Tommy Thumb's up and
Tommy Thumb's down.
Tommy Thumb dancing all
around.
Tommy's on my shoulders,
Tommy's on my head.
Then my little Tommy goes
straight to bed.
Peter Pointer's up and Peter
Pointer's down.
Peter Pointer's dancing all
around.
Peter's on my shoulders,
Peter's on my head.
Then my little Peter goes
straight to bed.
Mary Middle's up and Mary
Middle's down.
Mary Middle's dancing all
around.
Mary's on my shoulders,
Mary's on my head.
Then my little Mary goes
straight to bed.
Ricky Ring's up and Ricky
Ring's down.
Ricky Ring's dancing all
around.
Ricky's on my shoulders,
Ricky's on my head.
Then my little Ricky goes
straight to bed.
Petunia Pinky's up and
Petunia Pinky's down.
Petunia Pinky's dancing all
around.
Petunia's on my shoulders,
Petunia's on my head.
Then little Petunia goes
straight to bed.
Finger Family's up and
Finger Family's down.
Finger Family's dancing all
around.
Fingers on my shoulders,
fingers on my head.
Then my little fingers go
straight to bed.

20. Five Little Caterpillars
Five little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,
One falls off, goes to sleep.
Close her eyes and wait a week,
Up comes a butterfly floating on the
breeze.
Four little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,
One falls off, goes to sleep.
Close his eyes and wait a week,
Up comes a butterfly floating on the
breeze.
Three little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,
One falls off, goes to sleep.
Close her eyes and wait a week,
Up comes a butterfly floating on the
breeze.
Two little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,
One falls off, goes to sleep.
Close his eyes and wait a week,
Up comes a butterfly floating on the
breeze.
One little caterpillar wiggling on a leaf,
She falls off, goes to sleep.
Close her eyes and wait a week,
Up comes a butterfly floating on the
breeze.
No more caterpillars, no more leaves!
Five little butterflies floating on the
breeze.

21. Old Brass Wagon (shapes)
Circle to the left, Old Brass Wagon
Circle to the left, Old Brass Wagon
Circle to the left, Old Brass Wagon
Now there's one my darling
Oval to the right, Old Brass Wagon
Oval to the right, Old Brass Wagon
Oval to the right, Old Brass Wagon
That makes two my darling
Square in the middle, Old Brass Wagon
Square in the middle, Old Brass Wagon
Square in the middle, Old Brass Wagon
Now there’s three my darling
Triangle up high, Old Brass Wagon
Triangle up high, Old Brass Wagon
Triangle up high, Old Brass Wagon
That makes four my darling
Rectangle down low, Old Brass Wagon
Rectangle down low, Old Brass Wagon
Rectangle down low, Old Brass Wagon
That makes five my darling!
Rhombus to the side, Old Brass Wagon
Rhombus to the side, Old Brass Wagon
Rhombus to the side, Old Brass Wagon
We'll stop at 6 my darling
We'll stop at 6 my darling
Let's stop at 6 my darling!

22. Little Mousie Brown
Little Mousie Brown
Crawled up the big, white candlestick
And couldn't get back down
So she called to her Grandma
"Grandma! Grandma!"
But Grandma was not around,
So she curled into a little ball and rolled herself right
down
Yes she curled into a little ball and rolled herself right
down!
(Repeat- Grandpa, Mamma, Dadda)

23. While sitting at your desk, perform the following
imaginary actions without talking:
1. Writing a letter
2. Picking up a glass of cold water
3. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate
4. Eating a jumbo chocolate chip cookie in three bites.

24. MIME vs. PANTOMIME
• Mime comes from the Greek word m i m e s i s ,
meaning “to imitate an activity.” Mime’s main
activity is movement, and its content often deals
with the complex meanings and forces of life.
• Pantomime comes from the Latin word p a n t o m i
m u s , meaning “all gestures used in support of a
theme.” Pantomime revolves around character and
plot, using imaginary props and people to tell a story.
• In both arts, the actors portray characters and
scenes through facial expressions and body language
that the audience can easily understand.

25. MIME
 Mimes do not speak with their
mouths, but express life through
movement and through using
their bodies to suggest their
environment.
 Mime has many different styles,
including rituals, commedia dell’
arte, silent acting, and French
classical mime.
 Mime is more complex, based on
theme, illusion, and plot, requiring
a higher level of communication
between the performer and the
audience.
PANTOMIME
 A dramatic technique of
communicating through gesture
without speech.
 Pantomime uses mime techniques
to communicate and create
characters and plot to its
audience.
 Pantomime usually has simple and
chronological story lines, such as
brushing your teeth, playing a
tuba, watching a tennis match, or
stepping on a piece of gum.
MIME vs. PANTOMIME

26. MIME
• is the “silent” art of using body movements to
create an illusion of reality. The word “mime”
can also refer to the performer of this art. Mime
is a very old form of theatrical expression.
• an art that lies somewhere between drama and
dance.
• Mime techniques are often difficult and
demanding to do. They involve a system of
exercises and technical strategies of dramatic
movements.

27. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
The most famous mime in the world is
probably Marcel Marceau.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
A talented mime can make you
believe he is actually doing what
he is only pretending to do.
Mime
 Thesilent art ofusing body movements to
create anillusion ofreality.

28. Withouteverneeding to
say a word, silent-screen
star Charlie Chaplin(here,
tipping his hatto a police
officer inCityLights) made
millions of people laugh
and cry.

29. PANTOMIME
o Pantomime is the extended use of mime
techniques in telling a story. Other
definitions might include “acting without
words,” “non-verbal communication
telling a story,” or “telling a story in
chronological order using only gestures.”
o Cavemen told their hunting stories and
other adventures using their body
movements to express themselves.

30. PANTOMIME
o A single actor often played many roles in
the form of interpretive dances
accompanied by a chorus who told a story
from mythology.
o In medieval times, characters in the miracle
plays used pantomime to communicate the
good and bad of humankind.
o The goal of all the characters was to be at
peace with each other and keep harmony

31. Pantomime
 the use of mime techniques, actingwithout words, to tell a
story.
 istheartofcreating theillusionofrealityandtheartof
imaginingtheworldtogether withothers.
-ClaudeKipnis

32. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Pantomime is closely related to jugglingandacrobatics.
Throughout history, people have been entertained by
artists suchas this“Jack in the Box” at the Drury Lane
Theatre in London, who have specialized in pantomime,
juggling, and acrobatics
Theartofpantomimeisthe
languageoftheheart.
-MarcelMarcau

33. PANTOMIME
• It is still used in England in “farces” staged
around Christmas.
• Participating in pantomime will help you
develop your confidence, personal resources,
and stage techniques. Realistic pantomime
requires time, study, and self-discipline, but it is
fun.
• It is basically an art that requires concentration
on details in movements and expression.

34. • Physical skills are needed to be able to
communicate with your audience. Studying and
using pantomime techniques that enhance muscular
coordination, poise, and facial expression will help
you be more successful.
• Pantomime is extremely effective with an audience
because people are more inclined to believe what
they see than what they hear.
• Pantomime is an effective and powerful acting skill.
This is why your stage movement and pantomime
activities in class should be clearly communicated
with simplicity, accuracy, consistency, and
exaggeration.
PANTOMIME

35. PANTOMIME
• In pantomime you should show, not tell, what
is happening. You must visualize in your mind
the images you want to project to your
audience.
• Make your actions clear and exact so that your
observers are never in doubt about what is
happening in your pantomime.
• Begin your preparation by selecting an idea or
story line for your pantomime.

36. • The structure of a pantomime story line is
prepared with the three basic parts —the
beginning, middle, and end.
• An introduction (introduces the
character), a conflict (establishes a
problem), and the resolution (solves the
problem).
PANTOMIME

37. Key Elements in Preparing and
Presenting your Pantomime
1. Simplicity-helps the audience understand what
is happening in your presentation.
2. Accuracy-makes the presentation believable and
precise.
3. Consistency-keeps all the items in a pantomime
the same size, shape, weight, and in the same
place.
4. Exaggeration-makes the actions in pantomime
bigger than life, helping the audience see your
action with more clarity.

38. Focus, Reach, Take, Accent, and
Release
If you focus (visualize) and then reach (approach)
for your object (for example, an imaginary glass of
water), it is easier for your audience to follow
your action. Don’t forget to take (establish space)
and release (let go of) your object.
However, 80 percent of your pantomime is the
accent- showing size, shape, weight, level,
texture, temperature, and any other detail that
will lead to clarity of movement.

39. Other traditions of pantomime
in a presentation
1. Wearing clothes that are black,
white, and sometimes accented with
red;
2. Soft, flexible black flat shoes; and
3. White makeup to neutralize the
performer’s face.

40. Through movement and expression, you can
create a whole world of characters, objects, and
places in the story, your pantomime.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Lucille Ballwas such a
talented pantomime artist
and comedienne that her“I
Love Lucy”arebeing enjoyed
on cable television networks
overforty years after they
werefirst produced.