Clap Your Hands
What’s inside...
Full of reasons to get up and dance, Lorinda Bryan Cauley's popular picture book, now available in board book format, has been delighting children for nearly a decade. Little ones will jump at the chance to join this menagerie of zany animals and children as they stomp, wiggle, roar, and spin their way through the day, as the rhyming text reinforces important concepts.
Why read this book
- Interactive and engaging storytelling.
- Fosters motor skills and coordination.
- Encourages participatory reading and learning.
- Ideal for toddler developmental stages.
Age
2-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters express their feelings through clapping in the story?
Can you think of a time when you felt like clapping with joy or excitement?
What are some other ways the characters could have shown they were happy or excited?
Why do you think clapping was important to the characters in the book?
If you could add a scene to the story, what would the characters be clapping about?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading 'Clap Your Hands', emphasize the emotions of the characters by matching their expressions and actions with your voice.
Encourage your child to clap along with the characters to make the reading experience interactive and fun.
Ask your child to show different ways they might clap in various emotions, like slow claps for sad moments or quick, excited claps.
Discuss the importance of expressing feelings and how actions like clapping can communicate emotions.
Create a small clapping routine with your child that you both can perform at the end of the story to celebrate reading together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: In 'Clap Your Hands', children are encouraged to participate in the actions mentioned in the story, such as clapping hands, stomping feet, and wiggling fingers.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children practice attentiveness and compliance, crucial for classroom settings and daily activities.
Example Lesson: Body Awareness
Explanation: The book prompts children to move different parts of their bodies. This not only makes reading interactive but educates them about body parts and movements.
Real-World Application: Understanding and controlling physical movements can enhance children’s coordination and motor skills in sports and other physical activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: By engaging with various actions like pretending to be a monster or a mouse, children use their imagination to embody different characters.
Real-World Application: This imaginative play is foundational in creative thinking and problem-solving which are important skills in both academic and social settings.
Example Lesson: Expressing Emotions
Explanation: The actions in the book convey various emotions, allowing children to explore and express feelings like joy (clapping) and surprise (stomping).
Real-World Application: Emotionally expressive children can communicate their feelings more effectively, leading to better emotional health and interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Participation and Cooperation
Explanation: Sarah Hayes’ book engages children in group activities which nurtures a sense of participation and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Learning to work in a group is essential for children’s early education and social development, promoting teamwork and social interaction.