Ring the Bell, Knock at the Door Lyrics
A baby's face becomes a little house: ring the bell, knock at the door, lift the latch and walk in. Four lines, four gentle touches and usually a giggle.
Ring the Bell, Knock at the Door
Ring the bell!
Knock at the door!
Lift up the latch!
And walk in!
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/ring-the-bell/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Spoken face game
- Best for ages
- 6 months to 3 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Ring the bell! | Gently tug a lock of your baby's hair or an earlobe. |
| Knock at the door! | Tap the forehead lightly. |
| Lift up the latch! | Push the tip of the nose up gently. |
| And walk in! | Walk your fingers to the mouth and give a tickle. |
What Does Ring the Bell, Knock at the Door Mean?
The face is a house: the hair or ear is the bell, the forehead is the door, the nose is the latch (the catch that holds a door shut) and the mouth is the way in. Babies quickly learn the pattern and start laughing before the last line arrives.
History and Origin
The rhyme comes from The Little Mother Goose (1912). Face games like this, and Here Sits the Lord Mayor, are among the oldest baby games, played on a parent's lap long before children can speak.
Learning Activities
- Face game: play it slowly at first, then build up to a tickle.
- Name the parts: say hair, forehead, nose and mouth as you touch them.
- Teddy's turn: let your toddler play it on a teddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a latch?
The catch that keeps a door or gate shut.
How do you play it?
Touch hair, forehead, nose and mouth in turn, one per line.