A clapping game (or hand game) is a type of usually cooperative (i.e., non-competitive) game which is generally played by two players and involves clapping as a rhythmic accompaniment to a singing game or reciting of a rhyme, often nursery rhymes. Clapping games are found throughout the world and similar games may be known throughout large areas with regional variation.
Children in Virginia playing hand games at school.
Illustration of a clapping game created by Andrew and Kyle Clements, c.1920
Due to the communication skills and coordination required, simple clapping games are age appropriate for children age 24 months and above.[1] In many cultures clapping games are played by all sexes and ages, but in many European and European-influenced cultures, they are largely the preserve of girls.[2]
Claps commonly included in patterns are clapping one's own hands, clapping both hands of a partner, and clapping one hand of a partner, generally across such as the right hand of each player. The clapping may include other activities such as thigh slapping, or a final move such as touching the ground and freezing.[3] Sara Bernstein describes seventy-nine "basic hand-claps".[4]
Clapping patterns may be used with only specific rhymes, generically with most rhymes, or improvised. Children in different areas may be more or less strict about which claps accompany which rhymes but generally different clapping patterns may be used to accompany different rhymes. The rhymes are generally very similar to a jump-rope rhymes. Some games are played without a rhyme, such as 'Slide', and not all require the players to clap each other's hands, such as 'Sevens.'
Clapping games are a part of oral tradition. As such there are a variety of distinct clapping games or families of games. A game may be performed or played in various versions found in different areas and times and often according to ethnicity. For example, "Hello, Operator" may be called "Miss Susie" or "Miss Lucy" and may contain, omit, or vary verses or specific lines. Clapping patterns and actions may also vary. There is no canonical version of any game though children often fight over whose version is "right" or "real".
ExamplesEdit
"Miss Mary Mack" PlayⓘA common style of playing "Pat-a-Cake".
^L. Acredolo and S. Goodwyn, Baby Minds: Brain-Building Games Your Baby Will Love (Acredolo 2000), p. 52. ISBN9780553380309.
^P. Blatchford and S. Sharp, Breaktime and the School: Understanding and Changing Playground Behaviour (London: Routledge, 1994), p. 40.
^K. D. Gaunt, The Games Black Girls Play: Learning the Ropes from Double-Dutch to Hip-Hop (New York, NU., New York University Press, 2006), p.6. ISBN9780814731208.
[1] videos and sound recordings from the British Library showing clapping games over the last century
October 21, 2023
clapping, game, clapping, game, hand, game, type, usually, cooperative, competitive, game, which, generally, played, players, involves, clapping, rhythmic, accompaniment, singing, game, reciting, rhyme, often, nursery, rhymes, found, throughout, world, similar. A clapping game or hand game is a type of usually cooperative i e non competitive game which is generally played by two players and involves clapping as a rhythmic accompaniment to a singing game or reciting of a rhyme often nursery rhymes Clapping games are found throughout the world and similar games may be known throughout large areas with regional variation Children in Virginia playing hand games at school Contents 1 Nature of the games 2 Examples 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksNature of the games Edit nbsp Illustration of a clapping game created by Andrew and Kyle Clements c 1920Due to the communication skills and coordination required simple clapping games are age appropriate for children age 24 months and above 1 In many cultures clapping games are played by all sexes and ages but in many European and European influenced cultures they are largely the preserve of girls 2 Claps commonly included in patterns are clapping one s own hands clapping both hands of a partner and clapping one hand of a partner generally across such as the right hand of each player The clapping may include other activities such as thigh slapping or a final move such as touching the ground and freezing 3 Sara Bernstein describes seventy nine basic hand claps 4 Clapping patterns may be used with only specific rhymes generically with most rhymes or improvised Children in different areas may be more or less strict about which claps accompany which rhymes but generally different clapping patterns may be used to accompany different rhymes The rhymes are generally very similar to a jump rope rhymes Some games are played without a rhyme such as Slide and not all require the players to clap each other s hands such as Sevens Clapping games are a part of oral tradition As such there are a variety of distinct clapping games or families of games A game may be performed or played in various versions found in different areas and times and often according to ethnicity For example Hello Operator may be called Miss Susie or Miss Lucy and may contain omit or vary verses or specific lines Clapping patterns and actions may also vary There is no canonical version of any game though children often fight over whose version is right or real Examples Edit nbsp Miss Mary Mack Play nbsp A common style of playing Pat a Cake Clapping games include A Sailor Went to Sea 5 Down Down Baby also known as Roller Coaster Down by the Banks 6 Mary Mack 6 Miss Susie 6 Pat a cake pat a cake baker s man Pease Porridge Hot 5 Pretty Little Dutch Girl Stella Ella Ola Cup game Crocidilly Four White Horses Bobo Ski Waten Taten See also EditPalmas music References Edit L Acredolo and S Goodwyn Baby Minds Brain Building Games Your Baby Will Love Acredolo 2000 p 52 ISBN 9780553380309 P Blatchford and S Sharp Breaktime and the School Understanding and Changing Playground Behaviour London Routledge 1994 p 40 K D Gaunt The Games Black Girls Play Learning the Ropes from Double Dutch to Hip Hop New York NU New York University Press 2006 p 6 ISBN 9780814731208 Bernstein Sara 1994 Hand Clap p 13 39 ISBN 1 55850 426 5 a b Gryski Camilla 1998 Let s Play Traditional Games of Childhood p 30 1 Kids Can ISBN 1550744976 a b c Bernstein 1994 p 7 8 External links Edit 1 videos and sound recordings from the British Library showing clapping games over the last century Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Clapping game amp oldid 1166150591, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
