What would you do when you need to choose one out of two beneficial things quickly? Use an elimination rhyme like the ‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’ song! This English nursery rhyme is one of the oldest methods for kids to choose something when in doubt. It is so popular that it is found in a number of versions across the world. Let’s check some out!
‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’ Lyrics in English
Modern Version:
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Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
My mother told me
To pick the very best one
And you are [not] it.
Older Versions:
- Hana Man, 1815
Hana, man, mona, mike;
Barcelona, bona, strike;
Hare, ware, frown, vanac;
Harrico, warico, we wo, wac.
- Kipling’s Version, 1820s
Eenie, Meenie, Tipsy, toe;
Olla bolla Domino,
Okka, Pokka dominocha,
Hy! Pon! Tush!
What Will Your Child Learn From ‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’?
The rhyme encourages decision-making. Kids might find it difficult to make decisions at times, for example, choosing the denner for the next round of hide-and-seek. It is a simple and entertaining way to eliminate players in a game.
The Theme Of ‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’
There’s no specific theme to this rhyme, and is simply used for counting-out players for gameplays.
Rhyming Scheme Of ‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’
This rhyme is a coupled rhyme and follows the pattern AABB.
Words That Your Child Will Learn From ‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’
Your child is likely to learn the following words:
- Sight Words: a, the, by, let, go,and he
- The Verb – catch
- Word Ending With ‘er’ – tiger and holler
Suggested Activities
Try these activities along with this rhyme:
1. A Counting Game
Encourage the kids to sing the rhyme and change the last time to something they can learn.
Example:
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
My mother told me to count till 10 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
2. The Naming Game
Turn this rhyme into a naming game by adding an instruction to name or identify something.
Example:
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
My mother told me to name 3 fruits – Apple, banana, and orange.
FAQ
1. In Which year was the rhyme written?
It is not known in which year the rhyme was written or by whom, but different versions of the song are sung by kids across the world, some of which have been mentioned in the article above.
Rhymes like these are best to teach counting to the kids who need something interesting to learn. Sing along and combine the rhyme with activities to make learning fun for your little one.
