Kawaii Itsy Bitsy Spider (aka. Arachnid Sisyphus)

Consider the plight of the Itsy Bitsy Spider, forever trudging up the waterspout only to have the rain come and wash it back down to where it began. Does it feel frustration and anguish? Does it ponder the meaninglessness of its struggle? Is it suffering a karmic punishment for previous misdeeds? Yet it brings children such joy...

As a child, I found this rhyme to be frustrating. The convoluted finger-patterns used to mimic spider climbing were daunting. When introducing this rhyme at storytime, I make sure to say there is no right way to do the spider crawling bit. Do it index finger to thumb OR make all your fingers move OR have a hand crawl up your arm...whatevs.
  

The itsy bitsy spider 

went up the waterspout.

make climbing motion

Down came the rain and 

make fingers rain 

washed the spider out.

sweep hands away from each other

Out came the sun 

 make big circle above you

and dried up all the rain.

wiping motion with hands

And the itsy bitsy spider

Climbed up the spout again…

repeat climbing motion

As you get ready for your next storytime,  take a moment to consider the similarities between your life and Itsy Bitsy's.

Oh yeah...and here is a Charmander!

Thanks to  Wendy at Flannel Board Fun for hosting: