I Have Two Hands

Originating in the Philippines during the early 20th century as part of the English-language public education system introduced under American administration (1898-1946), "I Have Two Hands" is a simple nursery rhyme designed for young learners. While the exact year and songwriter remain unknown, the rhyme was already extensively taught in Philippine elementary schools by 1929, as documented in the "Philippine Public Schools" magazine. The American colonial educational policy mandated English as the sole medium of instruction, spearheaded by American teachers known as Thomasites who arrived in 1901 to establish primary schools and train local educators. The rhyme's verses served multiple educational purposes: teaching basic English vocabulary and identifying left and right hands, promoting essential personal hygiene ("so clean and bright," "teeth all white"), and encouraging positive social conduct and respect for parental approval ("dear playmates follow me / So that our mother will be happy"), reflecting the values reinforced through the American-introduced curriculum that left a lasting impact on Philippine linguistic and cultural landscape.