Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Duck pond counting path
Guide a pretend duck across a drawn pond while counting spaces.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper and large child-appropriate crayons.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Draw a duck, a pond, and five large stepping spaces across the pond.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and count each space together at the child's pace.
Let's make it happen
- Place a finger on the duck and choose one or two spaces to move.
- Move along the path, counting each space aloud.
- Take turns choosing another move until the duck reaches the other side.
Make it simpler: Use two spaces and move one at a time.
Clean up: Put away the crayons and save or recycle the drawing.
Use fingers on the drawing and keep the play space clear.