Movement Building Blocks
Fingers
Young students are still developing their ability to control individual fingers and the shape of their hand. The Movement Building Blocks for fingers help beginners practice finger awareness, dexterity, and control.
Base Joints
Yankee Doodle (“Finger Soldiers”) builds the skill of aligning the base of the finger with the back of the hand and keeping the other fingers relaxed while the index is fully bent.
Naughty Kitty Cat (“Soft Paws and Cat Claws”) helps students to notice the two possible alignments between the fingers and the hand. This control is important for both the bow and violin hand.
Teachers
Parents
The “Parent” videos are designed for children to follow along during their practice. The Teacher videos provide a concise explanation of each exercise.
Finger Awareness
Frere Jaques (“Where is do Finger”) practices finding fingers do, re, mi, and fa (index through pinky).
Birds’ Wedding (“Birds’ Eggs & Birds’ Nest”) builds awareness of the different fingers, differentiates the fingertip from the finger pad, and builds the skill of pressing the finger.
Teachers
Parents
Finger Dexterity
Button You May Wander develops dexterity by picking up small items with each finger. It is also a midline-crossing activity. Supplies needed: a large book or box; four large beads or pom-poms.
Teachers
Parents
Lateral Control of the Fingers
This Old Man (“Finger Gym”) develops lateral finger independence. In the scissors shape, the fingers form a “V.” In the “Rocket Booster” shape, the index and pinky separate, while the middle two fingers stay together.
Teachers
Parents
Finger Flexion & Extension
Bingo (“Doggy Perks His Ears”) develops the ability to maintain the curve of the middle fingers while alternately lifting the pinky and index fingers.
Twinkle (“Stargazing Pinky”) develops the ability to maintain a curve in the middle fingers while extending the pinky.
Paw Paw Patch (“Bending Down for a Paw Paw”) develops the ability to bend the index while maintaining the thumb straight.
Reuben & Rachel (“Teasing Friends”) develops the reverse skill.