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“Open Shut Them” is a classic nursery rhyme that children around the world love to sing and act out. The rhyme uses simple hand movements that match the words, making it fun and interactive for young learners. As kids open and close their hands, clap, and wiggle their fingers, they become actively involved in the song instead of just listening. This playful action helps capture their attention and keeps them engaged. Parents and teachers enjoy using this rhyme because it supports early learning in a gentle and enjoyable way. It encourages motor skill development, listening skills, and coordination. The repetitive words also help children remember new vocabulary more easily. With its cheerful rhythm and easy gestures, “Open Shut Them” is a wonderful first rhyme for toddlers and preschoolers beginning their learning journey.
Open Shut Them Song Lyrics
The Open Shut Them words are easy to remember and paired with simple hand actions that children can follow while singing.
Open shut them, open shut them.
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open shut them, open shut them.
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Big and small.
Big and small. Big and small.
Big, big, big, big. Small, small, small.
Big and small. Big and small.
Big, big, big, big. Small, small, small.
Please. No, thank you.
Please. No, thank you. Please. No, thank you.
Please, please, please, please. No, thank you.
Please. No, thank you. Please. No, thank you.
Please, please, please, please. No, thank you.
Fast and slow.
Fast and slow. Fast and slow.
Fast, fast, fast, fast. Slow, slow, slow.
Fast and slow. Fast and slow.
Fast, fast, fast, fast. Slow, slow, slow.
Loud and quiet.
Loud and quiet. Loud and quiet.
Loud, loud, loud, loud. Shh…quiet.
Loud and quiet. Loud and quiet.
Loud, loud, loud, loud. Shh…quiet.
Peek-a-boo.
Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo.
Peek-a, peek-a, peek-a-boo!
Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo.
Peek-a, peek-a, peek-a-boo!
Other Versions of Open Shut Them Song
Over time, teachers and parents have created a few playful variations of this rhyme to keep it exciting for kids.
1. Peekaboo Ending
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them slowly upward,
Right up to your chin.
Open wide your little mouth,
Now quickly tuck them in!
2. Wiggle Fingers Version
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Wiggle, wiggle little fingers,
Tickle on your chin.
Open wide your little mouth,
But do not let them in!
Gestures – How to Teach Open Shut Them to Kids
This rhyme becomes more fun when children act out the words with their hands. The simple gestures help kids understand the meaning of the lyrics while building coordination.
- Open and close hands: Ask children to stretch their hands open and then close them into fists as they sing “open, shut them.”
- Clap hands together: When the words say “give a little clap,” encourage children to clap three times in rhythm with the song.
- Place hands on lap: During “put them in your lap,” children gently rest both hands on their knees or lap.
- Finger crawling motion: For “creep them, crawl them,” show kids how to wiggle their fingers slowly upward like tiny spiders.
- Move fingers toward chin: Let children move their crawling fingers up their body until they reach their chin.
- Open mouth dramatically: When singing “open wide your little mouth,” kids open their mouths wide and then quickly pull their fingers away for the playful ending.
History & Quick Facts
“Open Shut Them” is a traditional nursery rhyme and fingerplay song that has been used in early childhood education for many decades. The exact author is unknown, which is common with many folk rhymes that were passed down orally. Versions of the rhyme began appearing in preschool and kindergarten activities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Teachers used it as a movement song to help children practice coordination and listening skills. Over time, it became a staple in classrooms, playgroups, and children’s music programs. The rhyme gained even wider popularity through children’s music collections and educational platforms such as Super Simple Songs, which introduced it to a global audience.
Interesting Facts
- It is a fingerplay rhyme, meaning children use their hands and fingers to act out the lyrics while singing.
- The rhyme is used worldwide, and many languages have translated versions that keep the same playful actions.
- Teachers often use it in preschool classrooms because it helps calm children while keeping them engaged.
- The tune is simple and repetitive, which makes it easy for toddlers and young learners to remember quickly.
- It helps build fine motor skills, since children practice opening, closing, and moving their fingers in coordination.
- Modern children’s music channels helped popularize it online, bringing the rhyme to millions of young learners around the world.
Suitable Age & Learnings
“Open Shut Them” is best suited for toddlers and preschoolers, typically between 1.5 to 4 years old. The rhyme is simple enough for young children while still offering meaningful learning through movement and repetition.
- Fine motor skills: The opening, closing, and finger-crawling movements strengthen small hand muscles and coordination.
- Listening skills: Children learn to listen carefully to the words so they can match their actions with the lyrics.
- Vocabulary development: Simple words like open, shut, clap, lap, chin, and mouth help children expand everyday vocabulary.
- Memory skills: The repetitive structure of the rhyme helps kids remember lines more easily.
- Body awareness: Kids learn to identify body parts such as their lap, chin, and mouth while acting out the song.
- Confidence in participation: Singing and moving together encourages children to join group activities and express themselves.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of Open Shut Them?
The rhyme uses a simple repeating pattern with short rhythmic lines rather than a strict rhyming structure, which makes it easy for young children to follow and memorize.
2. Why do teachers use Open Shut Them in preschool?
Teachers use it because the rhyme combines music, movement, and repetition, which helps children stay engaged while developing motor and listening skills.
3. Can babies enjoy the Open Shut Them rhyme?
Yes, even babies can enjoy watching the hand movements and listening to the rhythm, although toddlers benefit the most when they begin copying the actions.
“Open Shut Them” is a delightful nursery rhyme that blends music, movement, and learning in a way young children truly enjoy. Its playful hand gestures keep kids engaged while the simple lyrics make it easy to sing along. Parents and teachers often use this rhyme to introduce early coordination and listening skills. The repetitive pattern helps children build vocabulary and confidence as they participate. Over the years, the rhyme has remained a favorite in classrooms and homes around the world. With its cheerful actions and easy melody, “Open Shut Them” continues to be a joyful way for little learners to explore language and movement together.
