Children's Handclaps

The handclaps presented in the pages that follow represent a form of children's folklore, the traditional formalized play activities of children that are engaged in and maintained by the children themselves, within the peer group... This work is presented in the conviction that children's folklore, representing what mightaptly be called the indigenous art forms of childhood, unquestionably valued and enjoyed by the children themselves, can constitute a significant resource in the development of culturally responsive educational programs. The author, Beverly Stoeltje, has singled out handclaps as an especially interesting and attractive part of the children's folklore repertoire, in an effort to make them accessible and useful to teachers. The children, given the chance, will do the rest. (Richard Bauman, Introduction to Children's Handclaps)