Lap, Clap, Neighbor

Sitting in a circle, we play a hand-clapping game with a made-up rhyme: pat our laps, clap our own hands, and tap hands with both neighbors. It builds two-handed coordination, shared rhythm, and friendly contact with classmates.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle, learn the rhyme slowly with two moves, a lap pat and a clap: "Lap and clap, I tap with you; lap and clap, my friend, it's true!" (2 min).
2. Add the third move: with arms out, gently tap palms with the neighbors on both sides on the words "tap" and "true" (2 min).
3. Do the whole sequence, first slowly then at medium speed, the whole circle together (2 min).
4. Play with voice and speed: whisper it, say it super fast, then in slow motion (2 min).
5. A child suggests a new move to add (hands on head, on shoulders) and we fit it into the rhyme (1 min).
6. Finish with slow claps for everyone and hands resting still on our knees (1 min).

Rules

• Tap hands gently, like feathers.
• Wait for your friend before you tap.
• If we mess up, we laugh and keep going.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: if an arm can't reach, the neighbor brings their hand to the child's hand.
• Autism: allow tapping in the air without touching if touch is uncomfortable.
• Less dexterity: do only the move that feels comfortable while saying the rhyme with the group.

Learning goals

• Coordinate both hands in a simple sequence.
• Keep a shared rhythm with words and movement.
• Enjoy friendly contact with classmates.

Teacher tip

Sit close, knee to knee, so taps land without overstretching. Always say the rhyme at the speed of the slowest mover in the group.

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