No.206
String Figure: The Broom
Japanese name: あやとりのぱんぱんほうき
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Diagram key
- A
- 2. Twist the loop on the right middle finger once.
- B
- 360°
- C
- Steps 4–5: fingers that keep the string
- D
- Left hand
- E
- Right hand
- F
- Thumb
- G
- Middle finger
- H
- Little finger
- I
- Keep on
- J
- Slip off
Materials
- A loop of string sized comfortably for the hands
- An adult demonstrator who has checked the steps
How to play
- An adult demonstrates beside the learner, facing the same way. Put the string loop around both thumbs and little fingers. Face the palms toward each other and open the hands slightly.
- Use the right middle finger to pick up the strand across the left palm from below. Before spreading the hands, turn the right middle-finger loop one full 360-degree turn away from the body, then separate the hands slightly.
- Pass the left middle finger through the right middle-finger loop and pick up the strand across the right palm from below. Open the hands without undoing the twist. Check that both middle fingers now hold loops.
- Bring the palms together once. Release only the right thumb and right little-finger loops. Keep the loops on the left thumb, left little finger, and both middle fingers.
- Slowly draw the right middle finger outward to spread the broom shape. Release everything and start again, then try with left and right reversed.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: follow one step at a time with an adult. Primary school children: take turns demonstrating.