In mezzo alla fontanella
"My nonna used to sing this song to me and her other grandchildren. I sing it to my children now, and she sings it to them as well…" -Tara
In mezzo alla fontanella
In the Middle of the Fountain
Finger Play
Finger Play
(Italian)
(English)
In mezzo alla fontanella, (1)
Ci sta una paperella,
questo l'acchiappa (2)
questo la spenna (3)
questo la cuoce (4)
questo la mangia (5)
E questo dice: Me, me, tutto a me! (6)
In the middle of the fountain, (1)
There is a duck.
This one catches it, (2)
This one plucks it, (3)
This one cooks it, (4)
This one eats it (5)
And this one says, "Me, me, all for me!" (6)
Game Instructions
(1) Draw circles with your finger on the baby's palm.
(2) Gently wiggle the thumb and fold it inward.
(3) Gently wiggle the pointer and fold it inward.
(4) Gently wiggle the middle finger and fold it inward.
(5) Gently wiggle the ring finger and fold it inward.
(6) Gently wiggle the pinkie.
Comments
There are many versions of this rhyme. Please email me if you'd like to share the version you know and/or send us a recording. -Mama Lisa
You can find more versions of In mezzo alla fontanella on Mama Lisa's Blog. Feel free to add your version in the comments there!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Thanks to Tara Ship for sharing this rhyme with us.
Molte grazie!
