Rhythm and Pulse Reception Notations - I wiggle my fingers

"I Wiggle My Fingers" is a delightful rhythmic chant designed for reception-aged children, which combines simple lyrics with corresponding actions to engage young learners in developing their sense of rhythm and pulse. The chant is notated with clear visual cues for the rhythm of each line, such as "! ! ! ! ! !" for the words "wiggle my fingers" and "I wiggle my toes," inviting children to move specific parts of their body in time with the beat. The chant encourages children to wiggle their fingers, toes, shoulders, and nose, with the playful instruction to try wiggling toes inside their shoes, adding a sense of fun and challenge.

The activity also incorporates a contrast in dynamics and movement, as the children are instructed to wiggle and wave their arms vigorously to the words "when no more wiggles are left in me," and then transition to complete stillness, sitting quietly with a finger to their lips, as they chant "then I'm as still as still can be." This not only teaches children about movement and control but also helps them understand the concept of stillness following activity. The chant can be performed in different ways, including chanting with actions or whispering with actions, allowing for variation and reinforcing the learning experience. This engaging activity is an excellent way to introduce young learners to the fundamentals of music and movement.