Years ago the twins showed me a few of the clapping games they knew. One increased each round so they counted out loud. Another had variations like no lips, no eyes, and no hands. They had one another to practice with and were content to spend car rides and waits at the dentist to perfect it. 

 

When I was their age I slapped to Miss Mary Mack. I could get pretty fast without messing up, even the part about silver buttons. But what I loved was Chinese jump rope. I haven't seen one in years though it was a common recess activity in the sixties. Two girls slip their feet into a long elastic loop, and the third dances in patterns around and over it. I wanted to work on it at home but my brother was busy making stop action movies and starting a band. My sisters were in high school and could not be bothered. So I rigged up the legs of two chairs and hopped away.  I could make it to twelvesies. 

 

Having someone to work with is a blessing when you want to expand your relational skills. Immediate feedback and encouragement can get you over the mess ups. But single people and those whose partners are gone can practice too. The other day my cousin, whose husband of many years died a while back, mentioned that she is still working on being a good wife. 

 

Maybe she sets up a couple of chairs at a coffee shop, and practices listening to whomever sits down.