One, Two, Three, Four, Five facts for kids

"One, two, three, four, five" is a very old and popular English language nursery rhyme. It's also known as a counting-out rhyme. This means it's often used by kids to decide who goes first in a game or activity.

About "One, Two, Three, Four, Five"

This simple rhyme helps children learn to count. It also tells a short, fun story about catching and then releasing a fish. Many nursery rhymes have been around for hundreds of years. They are passed down from one generation to the next.

What's a Nursery Rhyme?

A nursery rhyme is a traditional poem or song for young children. These rhymes often have a simple rhythm and catchy words. They help kids learn language, sounds, and even basic ideas like counting. "One, two, three, four, five" is a great example of a counting rhyme.

The Rhyme's Words

The most common version of "One, two, three, four, five" goes like this:

One, two, three, four, five,

Once I caught a fish alive.

Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Then I let it go again.

Why did I let it go,

Because he bit my finger so!

Which finger did he bite?

This little finger on my right!

How Kids Use This Rhyme

This rhyme is often used as a "counting-out game." Imagine you and your friends want to play a game. You need to pick someone to be "it" or to go first. You can use this rhyme! One person recites the rhyme, pointing to a different person with each word. The person pointed to on the very last word ("right!") is chosen. It's a fair and fun way to make a decision.

A Look Back in Time

This rhyme has been around for a very long time. It was first published around 1765. That means children have been singing and playing with this rhyme for over 250 years! It shows how some songs and stories stay popular through many generations.

Images for kids

• 

  Illustration of the poem from the 1901 Book of Nursery Rhymes