Download Article
Learn all the words and gestures to this fun clapping game
Download Article
Whether you know it as “pat-a-cake” or “patty cake,” there’s no denying that this fun hand-clapping rhyme has become a staple in generations of families—and now it can become one in yours! We’ll walk you through all the lines and hand motions of this simple game, so you can play it with your little one. Read on to learn everything there is to know about this nifty nursery rhyme, including all the benefits it can offer to your young child.
Things You Should Know
- Clap and do the pat-a-cake gestures in front of your baby or toddler to help them learn the motions.
- Alternatively, clap your own hands with your partner’s hand if you’re playing with an older child.
- Personalize the game by inserting the child’s name into the rhyme (rather than using the word “baby”).
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Pat-a-Cake Words & Gestures
-
“Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, bake me a cake as fast as you can” Use your own hands to clap your baby or toddler’s hands together to the rhythm of the rhyme. [1] X Research source If you’re playing with an older child rather than a baby/toddler, alternate between clapping your own hands and clapping one of your hands against one of your partner’s. The pattern goes like this:
- Clap your hands together
- Clap your left hand against your partner’s left hand
- Clap your hands together
- Clap your right hand against your partner’s right hand [2] X Research source
-
“Roll it, and pat it, and mark it with a B” Make a rolling motion with your hands, as if you’re rolling out a piece of dough with a rolling pin. [3] X Research source Then, slap your hand downward, as if you’re giving the dough a good pat. Once you arrive at the “mark it with a B” line, draw the letter “B” in the air with your finger. [4] X Research source
- If you’re playing with a baby or toddler, guide them through these different motions. [5] X Research source
- A “pat-a-cake” isn’t actually a real dessert (or cake). [6] X Research source With this in mind, it might be easier to envision rolling out a piece of bread dough or pie crust rather than cake dough.
- Tip: Personalize the game by switching out the letter “B” with the first name of the child you’re playing with (like “C” for “Carla”). [7] X Research source
Advertisement -
“And put it in the oven for baby and me!” Hold your hands next to one another with your palms facing up. Then, glide both hands forward to simulate putting something in the oven. [8] X Research source When you get to the “baby and me” line, hold your arms together (as if you’re cradling a baby) and rock them back and forth.
- Continue to walk your baby or toddler through these motions as you finish the rhyme. It’s okay if they can’t do the motions themselves just yet—what matters is that they’re watching you do it. [9] X Research source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zEktmjbYFo&t=1m55s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e9cnH7EPCg&t=0m26s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e9cnH7EPCg&t=0m40s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGE5drXFf_Y&t=0m22s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zEktmjbYFo&t=2m5s
- ↑ https://www.laweekly.com/why-this-song-sucks-childrens-edition-patty-cake/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-vknNHdkos&t=1m2s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGE5drXFf_Y&t=0m24s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGE5drXFf_Y&t=2m5s
- ↑ http://nurseryrhymesforbabies.com/history-pat-a-cake/
- ↑ http://nurseryrhymesforbabies.com/history-pat-a-cake/
- ↑ https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/early-years-development/singing-with-your-baby/pat-a-cake?referer=/advice/early-years-development/singing-with-your-baby
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zEktmjbYFo&t=2m8s
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 29,576 times.
Advertisement