Children around the world enjoy songs with fingerplays, like this endearing French “jeu de doigts” about a turtle.
In addition to improving manual dexterity, fingerplays help children remember a song and internalize the rhythm. Best of all, children love fingerplays because they are fun!
In this one, the turtle is hiding because of the rain and the song makes him come out again.
Toc, toc, toc, Tortue,
Sors ta tete, sors ta tete,
Toc, toc, toc, tortue,
Sors ta tete, il ne pleut plus
Toc, toc, toc, Tortue,
Sors tes pattes, sors tes pattes,
Toc, toc, toc, Tortue,
Sors tes pattes, il ne pleut plus
Le soleil est revenu!
(which means …)
Knock, knock, knock, Turtle
Poke your head out, poke your head out
Knock, knock, knock, Turtle,
Poke your head out, the rain is gone.
Knock, knock, knock, Turtle
Poke your feet out, poke your feet out
Knock, knock, knock, Turtle,
Poke your feet out, the rain is gone.
And the sun has risen, too!
