Where is Thumbkin (Finger 1)? | Free Piano Learning Activity

Level: Primer to beginner

Objective: To help learn finger numbers and to strengthen finger muscles and independence.  The hands also develop the curved finger hand position used in playing the piano.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials:

• A small ball or round object (this fillable ornament is just the right size for small hands)

 

Players needed: 1 or more

Lyrics to Where is Thumbkin?

Where is finger 1?  Where is finger 1?

Here we are!  Here we are!

How are you today?  Very well, we thank you!

Let’s go play!  Let’s go play!

(Repeat for each finger number)

Activity Rules: 

This is an adapted version of the popular song, Where is Thumbkin?

To begin, you can put your fingers touching their fingers.  The reason you will want to do this is to help them figure out which finger they need to be using.  When its time for each finger, that finger taps on the other person.  This helps build muscles and it helps build independence in that finger.  Its not easy for preschoolers, but with practice, they get better and better at it!

Once they are ready for more of a challenge, use a small ball or round object that they can hold with both hands.  The fingers are rounded around the ball — the same position they will use when playing the piano.  Sing the song again, this time by themselves on the round ball.

This YouTube demonstrates both of these activities:

**I noticed that I totally messed up at the very end of this video!  Where I said, “Where is pinky?”  I meant to say “Where is finger 5!”