Fingerplays are the cornerstone of a good preschool education. Children who engage in fingerplays are learning a wide variety of skills crucial for both academic and social success.
One of the most popular and classic fingerplays around is Five Little Ducks, which is perfect for incorporating into a pond or spring theme.
5 LITTLE DUCKS Interactive Magnet ACTIVITY
This traditional fingerplay, simply called Five Little Ducks, follows five ducks as they go over the hills and far away, but they don’t all return home when their mother calls for them!
The nursery rhyme goes like this:
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack”
But only four little ducks came back
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pond Theme Bundle
14 of our most popular pond theme resources, including math, literacy, fine-motor, and science activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pond Theme Bundle
14 of our most popular pond theme resources, including math, literacy, fine-motor, and science activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pond Theme Bundle
14 of our most popular pond theme resources, including math, literacy, fine-motor, and science activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pond Theme Bundle
14 of our most popular pond theme resources, including math, literacy, fine-motor, and science activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pond Theme Bundle
14 of our most popular pond theme resources, including math, literacy, fine-motor, and science activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pond Theme Bundle
14 of our most popular pond theme resources, including math, literacy, fine-motor, and science activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources
I was inspired to create this activity when I spotted some miniature rubber ducks at the dollar store. I bought a few packages of rubber ducks and they sat on my dining room table until an idea finally came to me- in the shower of all places!
Five Ducks Activity Supplies
Here are the supplies you will need to create this fun, interactive Five Little Ducks activity.
- Copy of Five Little Ducks book by Pamela Paparone
- Disposable blue plastic plates (Dollar Tree)
- Round magnets
- Mini rubber ducks
- Glue gun
Introducing the Five Little Ducks
Start by reading the book Five Little Ducks by Pamela Paparone to your kids. After you read the story, introduce the kids to the concept of using their hands and fingers to act out the rhyme- hence the name fingerplay. Practice the rhyme daily for a few days until your kids are become very familiar with it.
Preparing the Five Little Ducks Activity
Next, hot glue one round magnet to the bottom of each of your five ducks. You will want to do this part when the kids are not around.
Place your ducks on the blue plastic plate, magnet side down. Then, pick up the plate by the edge.
Now, holding a round magnet in your other hand, place the magnet underneath the blue plate. The magnet should be flat so it glides easily underneath the plate.
Move the magnet around under the plate and watch the ducks sitting on top move!
Use the 5 ducks on the plate to enhance the rhyme the next time you sing it with your kids!
Please note: Round magnets are a choking hazard. Close adult supervision is necessary at all times.
More Pond Ideas
