1-2-3 Brain Break: One from the Left: A Musical Finger Play

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power.

So, in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

Supplies Needed:

Your hands

Optional: Device with internet access to view the video “One from the Left” on YouTube by Jim Gill, child development specialist.

Here’s what you do:

Start with both hands behind your back.

For Verse 1, move index finger of one hand out from behind and bring it in front of you. Repeat with other hand and have fingers meet in front of you.

Dance fingers round and round then bow or wave to each other for the goodbye.

Walk fingers away from each other. Hide hands behind your back again.

Repeat with two, four, six, eight, and ten fingers as described in verses 2-5. (See lyrics below.)

**One from the Left as performed by Jim Gill from Vote for Jim Gill album**

Verse 1:

One from the left and one from the right
Met in the middle and danced all night
They made up a dance called The Whoop-Di-Do
Then the waved good-bye… and walked away… those two.

Verse 2:

Two from the left and two from the right
Met in the middle and danced all night
They made up a dance called Snips Galore
Then the waved good-bye… and walked away… those four.

Verse 3:

Three from the left and three from the right
Met in the middle and danced all night
They made up a dance called The Finger Mix
Then the waved good-bye… and walked away… those six.

Verse 4:

Four from the left and four from the right
Met in the middle and danced all night
They made up a dance called Bend & Straight
Then the waved good-bye… and walked away… those eight.

Verse 5:

Five from the left and five from the right
Met in the middle and danced all night
They made up a dance called Clap & Clap and Clap & Clap Again
Then the waved good-bye… and walked away… all ten.

Video: One from the Left: A Finger Play by Jim Gill

Video: BONUS Brain Break Activity: My Ups and Downs by Jim Gill

“The Why” behind the Activity:

Finger plays are a great tool for helping young children learn language, develop memory and social skills, and improve their small and large motor abilities. Language develops in children as they hear the rhythm of language, particularly when music is added to the finger play. The movements of the finger plays strengthen children’s bodies and putting the sounds and movements together improves memory. And finger plays are just plain fun, especially when shared with a friend!