Download Article
Download Article
The “here’s the church” nursery rhyme is a fun and simple finger game for children (and the young at heart) to play. If it’s been a while since you constructed your little church, or if you want to play for the first time, we’ve written out a comprehensive list of how to do it. Read on to become a finger church pro.
Steps
Community Q&A
-
QuestionWhat if I'm not religious?Peter CCommunity AnswerThis doesn't mean you can't do this rhyme. You could do the church version or the barn version. Anyone can do either version.
-
QuestionWhat if you aren't religious?Community AnswerYou could substitute the church for a barn, if you wanted, or just eliminate the part about praying at the end.
-
QuestionDo you have to move your fingers inside the church?Community AnswerIt's more fun for children to move their fingers as if the finger people are moving inside of the church, but it's up to you!
Tips
- This rhyme is a great way for children to improve their coordination and use their imagination! [7] X Research sourceThanks
- There’s also a secular version of this game, called “ Here’s the Barn :”
- “Here’s the barn, open it wide, let’s go inside where the animals hide. Here are the horses, here are the cows, they’re eating their dinner and drinking right now. They’ll stay here till night turns into day. When we open the doors, they’ll all mosey away. Out in the pasture, they’ll eat grass and hay. The cows will moo softly, the horses will neigh.” [8]
X
Research source
- It has the same hand gestures, just without the steeple. When you say, “here are the horses, here are the cows,” wiggle one side of your fingers, then the other. For the rest of the rhyme, make your fingers dance however you please!
Thanks - “Here’s the barn, open it wide, let’s go inside where the animals hide. Here are the horses, here are the cows, they’re eating their dinner and drinking right now. They’ll stay here till night turns into day. When we open the doors, they’ll all mosey away. Out in the pasture, they’ll eat grass and hay. The cows will moo softly, the horses will neigh.” [8]
X
Research source
Video
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/XwQg4JPUUnw?t=7
- ↑ https://youtu.be/bavPx09eKfA?t=35
- ↑ https://youtu.be/bavPx09eKfA?t=40
- ↑ https://youtu.be/XwQg4JPUUnw?t=32
- ↑ https://youtu.be/XwQg4JPUUnw?t=33
- ↑ http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_mmf_music_library_songbook/heres-the-church-rhyme
- ↑ http://www.rhymes.org.uk/here_is_the_church.htm
- ↑ https://local.nols.org/Docs/kits/farms.pdf
About This Article
"Here's the church" is a fun rhyme with hand gestures to go with each line. First, interlock your fingers and press your thumbs together for the first line, "Here is the church." Next, unlock your index fingers and point them upwards but slightly bent to make the steeple. Keep your other fingers and thumbs together. This is the gesture for, "Here is the steeple." For the third line, move your thumbs out of the way to open the church doors and say, "Open the doors." Finally, wiggle your fingers to represent the people in the church and say, "and see all the people." For more tips, including how to learn more verses of the rhyme, read on!
