This Little Piggy

"This Little Piggy" is an English-language nursery rhyme and fingerplay with a history dating back to the early 18th century. The first line, "This little piggy went to market," appeared in a 1728 medley called "The Nurses Song," with the first complete version published around 1760 in London in "The Famous Tommy Thumb's Little Story-Book." The rhyme is traditionally used as a toe-counting game, where each line corresponds to a different toe, starting with the big toe and ending with the little toe, often finishing with a tickle on the foot. This playful interaction helps children with language development, counting, and body awareness, while fostering positive connections between children and caregivers. While the modern interpretation is lighthearted, some analyses suggest a darker historical context related to farming practices—the "piggy going to market" may have referred to a pig being sold for slaughter, and the "wee, wee, wee" cry might be a sound of fright rather than simple squealing.