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It’s winter here in
the northern hemisphere, and for many of us that means time for
coats, hats, and mittens! Learning how to put all of these items
on is a big deal for young children, and mittens are especially
tricky. First you have to get the right mitten on the right hand
(or should I say correct hand). Then you have to keep all your
fingers together while you coax your thumb into the small “thumb
place.” All in all it’s a major skill and a great topic for a
song! Be sure to read the additional activities and recommended
picture books after the song. You can print out all the
information HERE.
Mitten Game
(walk around in a circle)
I need a mitten for my right hand, mitten for my left
Two mittens that look the same
Except that one’s for the right hand
One’s for the left
We’re playin’ the mitten game
(hand each child a mitten and
have them find the matching one on the floor in the middle of
the circle. Their goal is to find mate before end of third
verse)
I’m gonna give you a
mitten
Take a look and you will find
Another that looks quite similar
One’s for the left
One’s for the right
Now I have a mitten for my right hand, mitten for my left
Two mittens that look the same
Except that one’s for the right hand
One’s for the left
We’re playin’ the mitten game
That’s how we’re playin’ the mitten game
INSTRUCTIONS & IDEAS
For this song game you’ll need a pair of
paper mittens for each child. I’ve provided a pattern on the
printable
Lyric Page
which you can print out on colored paper, scrapbook paper, or
even have each child color his or her own pair. Then cut them
out and laminate them if you plan to use them more than a few
times. You’ll see the “R” and “L” are already on the pattern, so
children can learn use the game/song to learn their right from
their left.
Below are a few variations you can use
depending on the ages of the children and your available space.
The main idea in all variations is to find the matching mitten
and have children place their hands on the paper mittens
correctly by the time the song ends. Make sure to instruct them
to place the sides with the letters facing up. *This is where
scrapbooking paper comes in handy as you can buy it printed on
only one side.
Before you sing:
Talk about right and left, and point out
the letters. You can use the old tip of showing how you can make
an “L” with the fingers of your left hand, and that’s how you
know it’s your left.
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Two-year-olds:
Make mittens from felt and mix up 3 pairs on a felt board. Sing
the first verse of the song and point to one of the mittens.
Name the letter, (R or L), and ask the children which of the
mittens is the matching one in the pair. Sing again and match
the others.
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Younger Threes:
give each child a right mitten. Place all other mittens on a
table and let children find a mitten that matches. You can then
help them place their hands on the paper mittens correctly.
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Preschoolers:
Have children stand in a circle, and give each child a right
mitten, placing all of the left mittens letter side down in the
middle of the circle. Hold hands and walk around the circle for
the first verse, then instruct children to find their matching
mittens during the second, and place their hands on them on the
third verse. Instead of walking around the floor, children walk
around a couple of tables with the mittens on them so they don’t
step on and tear them if not laminated.
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When you’re finished,
count the pairs.
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Ask children what
things besides mittens we find in pairs
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Sing another
song of the month,
Fuzzy Slippers-
also about counting pairs.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Have children help you make up your own
story with a variation of "If
You Give A Mouse A Cookie."
“If you give a mouse (or other animal) a mitten…then he'll want
a_____?_____”
Write it down
and share it, or even have them illustrate it.
BOOKS
TO SHARE:
Check your local library
The Mitten, by Jan Brett
The Missing Mitten Mystery, by Steven Kellogg
The Mitten, by Emilia V.
My Red Mittens, by Jane E. Gerver and Melanie Mitchell
The Mitten, by Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock
The Mitten, by Alvin Tresselt
Also look for picture books about hats, winter, snow
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January
2014 Song of the Month