Free Printable Five Little Ducks Number Line Activity

Learning About Number Lines:

counting with preschoolers

USING KIDS’ SONGS IS A SUPER SIMPLE WAY TO HELP COUNTING SEQUENCES STICK.

Counting is an important early math skill that’s a precursor to learning number names and values.

As children sing and move while singing about mama duck, they won’t even realize they’re memorizing and becoming fluent with counting to five!

This 5 Little Ducks Counting activity is not only a fabulous counting activity for preschoolers but it is also great for adults too. Why? Because it is super easy to prep! Printing is the first step and then after that, it is all optional. You can laminate it or put it in a sheet protector to keep it safe, but you don’t have to.

In addition to learning how to count to five, this printable set of adorable ducks has the potential to teach more skills:

• Addition
• Subtraction
• Backward counting
• Rhyming
• More/less

What Can Preschoolers Learn While Singing Song Lyrics?

counting with super simple songs

THE BEST PRESCHOOL LESSONS ENGAGE AND ALLOW STUDENTS TO BE SILLY, LOUD, AND MOVING WHILE THEY ARE LEARNING.

While students learn and recite nursery rhymes and kids’ songs (Five Little Ducks or Baby Shark), they learn:

• Number Recognition
• Number Order
• Comparing Numbers (greater than, less than, etc.)
• Subitizing (Recognizing a number in a set without counting)

Why Is It Important For Kids To Engage with Nursery Rhymes and Songs?

Children need repetition to learn new skills and strengthen the ones they have been introduced to. Using the Five Little Ducks song for preschoolers is a great way to help children have fun while learning important skills.

Develop Number Recognition Skills

The duck number posters help children see what each number looks like, visualize what comes after and what is before, and help with comparing numbers.

Improve Sequencing

Physically moving the ducks around on the floor helps children understand number sequencing.

Promote Gross Motor Skills

Children can hop, jump, skip, and more while singing and rhyming with 5 little ducks. Preschoolers benefit from gross motor skill strengthening because it can lead to lifelong physical health, confidence, and self-esteem.

Develop a Child’s Creativity

Though our goal with this mother duck song may be counting, singing and acting out the number line promotes creativity.

How To Use This Five Little Ducks Preschool Activity

FIVE LITTLE DUCKS LYRICS NURSERY RHYME FOR MATH IN PRESCHOOL

YOUR STUDENTS WILL LOVE THIS CATCHY TUNE! DON’T BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU HEAR “QUACK, QUACK, QUACK” ALL DAY LONG.

Begin by watching the “Five Little Ducks on the Pond” video on YouTube. There is a short advertisement at the beginning, but the song is so cute that we listened to it multiple times before starting the activity. Watching this video is not required, but it can help add to the experience.

There are many ways that these number line cards can be used, but we started by taping them to the floor in order. Children can walk slowly over the ducks counting, saying the next number as the child steps on each new duck.

To add variety or for children who are ready for more of a challenge, they can hop or jump from one number to the next. Additionally, the numbers could be placed on the floor, in close proximity, or out of order. Then children can step or hop from 1, to 2, find 3, and so on.

Other Ways To Use The 5 Ducks Number Line Cards

Stick Puppets

Make printable puppets! Print and cut around the ducks, then attach thick craft sticks for instant duck puppets!

Felt Board

Ask children to take turns retelling the song in their own words with felt board cutouts. Just attach a piece of felt to the back of the printable.

Rhyming

Sing, “Mother duck said, ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack’ and only three little ducks came back!” Shout the rhymes, “Quack/back!”

Sensory Bin

Place rubber ducks in the sensory bin. After finding all five ducks, sing the song and make the “disappear” back into the bin.

Five Little Ducks Craft Activities

Make your own ducks with construction paper, paper plates, or even handprints.

Play a Game

Put the number line cards in order then remove one of the numbers. Ask your child to identify the number that is missing.

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