Clapping games might not be the norm among children these days that doesn't mean they don't exist though. Today I want to talk to you about the benefits of clapping games and maybe you can bring these into your classrooms and homes again.
The benefits of playing clapping games include getting children to play with each other and not on a screen. Provides a challenge for the children. Builds relationships through touch and face to face interaction whether that be with a peer or adult. You can use them to teach rhythm. As well as teach language skills and even some math sill too. Below I have provided some clapping games with the words, video, and benefits of each.
Double, double, this, this
double (palm) double (palm)
this (back hand) this (back hand)
double (palm) double (palm)
that (side fist) that (side fist)
double (palm) this (back hand)
double (palm) that (side fist)
double (palm) double (palm)
this (back hand) that (side fist)
Another way to play this game is by replacing this that with a compound word or with words commonly used together like ice cream and backpack. You could have the children use these words in the game and test them to see whether the word or words you gave them were compound or not. so you would keep the same clapping structure but change the word(s). How that would look is like this: double, double ice, ice double, double cream, cream double, ice double cream, double, double, ice, cream.
My Mother is a Baker
My mother is a baker, a baker, a baker. My mother is a baker, a baker, a baker and she goes like this. Mm mm.
At the beginning have your left hand palm facing down and your right hand a distance away from you left hand below with its palm facing up. Clap hands together with partner doing the same as you. Then give your partner a double high five and then clap your own hands together. from there take you right hand and clap it to your partners right hand. Alternate doing this with your left and right and while clapping in between. Then when you get to this stop and doing all the things that the previous people do as well as the thing that person does. You better just watch the video for a better visual.
This game is awesome for teaching about occupations and you can always switch up the occupation and how each one goes. For example My sister is a cleaner, a cleaner, a cleaner. My sister is a cleaner, a cleaner, a cleaner and she goes like this squeaky, squeaky clean.
Numbers
Numbers (start the same way you did in My Mother is a Baker)
Watch the video for clear instructions/ It's pretty simple on how the words go, you are just counting.
This game would be great for older kids who are learning English or even a different language. It will help them learn and remember numbers in order and how to say them properly.
Some others that might help with rhythm, speed and language would be tic-tac toe, Miss Mary Mack, I Went to a Chinese Restaurant, Elevators, Cups (can be done with a group) Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky (done with a large group) Bim Bum (done individually), and Boom, Snap, Clap (done with partner or individually)
Comment below if you ever did any of these as a kid or if you know of any others.
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