You’ll need
Setting up
Your baby lies on their back or sits in your lap, with bare feet.
The story of the game
Babies first get to know their feet through touch. By touching each toe separately, this rhyme helps a baby feel that those feet are their own. At a nappy change, after the bath or before sleep: a few minutes is enough.
How to play
- Starting with the big toe, gently hold each toe in turn and say a line: “This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed at home…”
- For the Turkish version: “Bu tutmuş, bu pişirmiş, bu yemiş, bu nerede demiş, bu da kalmış!” (This one caught it, this one cooked it, this one ate it, this one said “where is it?”, and this one was left out!)
- On the last toe, let your fingers “run” lightly from the sole of the foot up to the ankle.
- Repeat on the other foot.
Variations (2)
- Try different textures: a feather, a soft brush, a linen cloth.
- Finish with a foot massage: press gently with your thumb from the heel towards the toes.
For parents
If your baby pulls their foot away, don’t insist; try another time. Not every baby likes being tickled.
What to wear on their feet
Bare feet.
Safety
Don’t pull the toes; just hold them. Always play these games with an adult watching, in a way that suits your child’s age and the surface underfoot. Keep games with small pieces (marbles, five stones, mangala) away from children under 3.
