Fingerplays & Songs
A counting down song with a worried mama duck and a happy ending.
Sing It
Five little ducks went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mama duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only four little ducks came back.
hold up five fingers, then tuck one away at the end
Last verse
Sad mother duck went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Sad mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
And all the five little ducks came back!
quack softly, then hold up all five fingers again
Sing the same four lines for four, three, two, and one little duck in between.
How Many Came Back
five went outfour came back
four went outthree came back
three went outtwo came back
two went outone came back
one went outnone came back
sad mama wentall five came back
Try This
Let five children be the ducks and waddle away one at a time, then all waddle back at the end.
Watch For
Children who tuck a finger away on their own, who quack exactly four times, or who talk about mama duck feeling sad.
No materials needed · 5 minutes · Circle time, counting practice, or feelings talk
The Nest Schools