Hand-eye coordination is a must for this classic school playground activity! Not only will kids need to concentrate on getting the words right, they’ll also need to keep up the clapping rhythm without making an error.
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Familiarise your child with the following songs:
‘A Sailor Went To Sea’
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea;
To see what he could see, see, see;
But all that he could see, see, see;
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea!
‘Patty Cake’
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Pat it, roll it and mark it with a B
Put it in the oven for baby and me
Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Roll it up, roll it up;
And throw it in a pan!
Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man.
Once you’ve learned the words for the songs add your hand clapping! When you say each word, alternate between doing a single clap, a diagonal high-five and a high-10 with your partner (clap your hands with open palms against your partner’s hands).
When words are repeated three times, try doing three consecutive actions, like high-10s or your own action for three counts. For example, when the sailor goes to ‘sea, sea, sea’ you could do an ocean wave move with your hand. Try experimenting with hand gestures too, like acting out rolling out the dough or putting the cake in the oven. Keep repeating the song, getting faster each time until someone makes a mistake!
