Five Little Peas in a Pod
20th Century 
UK Lyrics
Five little peas in a pea-pod pressed,
One grew, two grew, so did all the rest.
They grew and grew and did not stop,
Until one day the pod went POP!
Actions:
Hold up closed fist
Pop up fingers one at a time
Spread fingers wide
Clap hands on "POP!"
One grew, two grew, so did all the rest.
They grew and grew and did not stop,
Until one day the pod went POP!
Actions:
Hold up closed fist
Pop up fingers one at a time
Spread fingers wide
Clap hands on "POP!"
History and Meaning
"Five Little Peas in a Pod" is a traditional finger play nursery rhyme that has been popular in British and American early childhood education throughout the 20th century.
Origins
The exact origin of this rhyme is unknown, but it appears in early childhood education materials from the early to mid-20th century. It was designed specifically as a teaching tool for young children.
As a Finger Play
The rhyme is performed with simple but effective hand motions:
- Start with a closed fist representing the pea pod
- Pop up fingers one at a time to show the peas growing
- Spread all fingers wide as the peas continue to grow
- Clap hands together on "POP!" to show the pod bursting
Educational Value
The rhyme teaches:
- Numbers and counting: Five peas, growing one by one
- Growth concepts: Plants grow from small to big
- Cause and effect: Growing too big causes the pod to pop
- Fine motor skills: Controlling finger movements
- Anticipation: Building to the satisfying "POP!" ending
Connection to Nature
The rhyme provides a gentle introduction to gardening and plant life. Children learn that peas grow in pods and eventually burst open when ripe—a real phenomenon in nature that the rhyme dramatizes.