Use pictures with this fingerplay, or let children play the role of the seeds if you wish, but it works just as well with the five little fingers at the end of your arm!
5 Little Seeds
5 Little seeds in the deep, dark ground, (Hold up 5 fingers)
sleeping and waiting, not making a sound. (finger to lips)
Along came an ant, across the garden floor, (wiggle fingers like ant crawling)
He carried off one seed, and then there were four. (crawl fingers over to take away one)
4 Little seeds in the deep, dark ground, (Hold up 4 fingers)
sleeping and waiting, not making a sound. (finger to lips)
Down came a birdie, out of the tree, (flap hands like a bird)
He ate up one seed and then there were three. (“Eat” down one finger with opposite hand)
3 Little seeds in the deep dark ground, (Hold up 3 fingers)
sleeping and waiting, not making a sound. (finger to lips)
Out snuck a cat, as cats often do, (move hands slowly like a cat walking)
He dug up one seed, and then there were two. (Pretend to dig in the ground like a cat)
2 Little seeds in the deep dark ground, (Hold up 2 fingers)
sleeping and waiting, not making a sound. (finger to lips)
Along came some children, out having fun, (point to or tickle children)
They ran through the planted seeds, and then there was one. (Run with fingers)
1 little seed in the deep dark ground, (Hold up 1 finger)
sleeping and waiting, not making a sound. (finger to lips)
Down came the rain, and warm was the sun,
(wiggle fingers down for rain, and hold up above head for the sun)
They woke up the little seed, his sprouting had begun!
(Close fingers into a fist, then burst open at the word “woke”, and slowly raise hand up for remainder of the line.)
Fingerplays increase language skills and reading readiness. This one in particular helps with counting, one to one ratio, and basic math skills. The science vocabulary word “sprouting” and the needs of seeds are also introduced.
For more Seeds & Plants activities, click here.
Photo by adlie.
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