Tomten Red and Tomten Blue

A finger play rhyme for the kindergarten 

By Mindy Upton

Tomten Red and Tomten Blue

This is Tomten Red

and this is Tomten Blue

with their Tomten hats on

they say “Good Morning” to you.

Tomten Red can nod and bow

Tomten Blue can turn around

Tomten Red can hide away

Tomten Blue can happily play

This is Tomten Red

and this is Tomten Blue

and with their Tomten hats on

They hurry off to hide from you! 

I’ve often glimpsed into my audience of children when I come out with my thumbs clad in little hats. The joy on the faces of the children seem to glow with joy and excitement as they watch my hands and listen to this lovely finger play rhyme. Children’s rhymes have been around for centuries - and hand movements add myriad foundations for learning! Some of the benefits of offering this art are: vocabulary building, opportunities for crossing the midline, enhanced memory retention and recall, following a sequence, and connection to the teacher, and oneself. 

I hope you enjoy this rhyme with your children and I’m sure you will come up with some gestures that create a lovely connection between the two Tomtens on your thumbs!