HAND CLAPPING GAME

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 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.

A clapping game is type of usually cooperative

 (ie non-competitive) game which is generally played by

 two players and involves clapping as accompaniment

 to singing or reciting a rhyme.

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

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 differen

t 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 'Missy 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".

It occurs to me that the world would be a far happier place

 if we all spent some time engaged in this 'cooperative' activity

 so this Hub is designed to remind and engage you in the fun

 you might recognize from your school yard days