Teaching Basic Math to Young Kids
Using Rubber Ducks During Bath Time To Teach Counting & Math Skills
Early childhood activities using ducks during bath time to teach readiness math skills dealing with numbers, geometry, measurement, patterns, and simple probability.
Do you enjoy play to teach activities with your child? Using rubber ducks in the tub is a delightful way to teach and practice beginner math skills dealing with numbers, space geometry, measurement, patterns, and even basic probability.
Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Rubber ducks are the rage now, and most children already have at least one or more in their toy boxes or with bath time toys. For the following activities you will need at least 10 rubber ducks. The ducks should each look a little different ~ color, size, costume, etc. If necessary, just tie different colored fabric around their necks, or perhaps use permanent markers to make them different by adding different hats or designs.
If you choose to add to the toy collection, ducks of every description can be found at the Oriental Trading store. You can select from ducks dressed as everything from dogs and cowboys to nurses and bikers, plus several colorful and fun duck assortments.
Diving Into Ducky Math Activities
Numbers~
Begin bath time with all 10 ducks in the tub. Ask your child to help you count the ducks to see if they are all there. As you model counting 1-10, say the number while placing each duck on the side of the tub. When finished, let the ducks “dive” back into the water and say to the child, “Now you count the ducks.” Let the child count as many ducks as he can, and help with the numbers for the rest.
Space Geometry~
This readiness math skill involves learning directional words for objects in space, such as the following: up, down, front, back, over, under, above, on, beside, next to, in front, behind, inside, outside, between, left, right, etc.
Select as many of these words as your child understands, and a few he hasn’t learned, and print them on cards. You read each word aloud and have the child use the ducks to show you the meaning of the word or phrase. For example, ask the child to show you the front of one of the ducks, or to put the duck with the red hat under the water. Keep it simple and remember the objective is toward understanding the words, not word recognition or reading.
Measurement~
In this activity, ask the child to look at all the ducks and tell you which one is the biggest, longest, tallest, etc. Afterwards, show the child how to use a plastic straw to measure and find out. Although other “tub friendly” items may be used for measuring, using a simple, unmarked measuring tool for this playtime activity works best with young children.
Patterns~
The objective of this activity is for the child to arrange the ducks into some kind of pattern. Some or all of the ducks may be used, depending upon the skill level of your child. Model this activity first by putting the ducks in a color pattern. For example, if the ducks have different colored hats, you might arrange them in a line, one with a red hat, white hat, blue hat, and repeat that pattern. The pattern possibilities will depend upon the type of ducks you have available. Remember to keep it short, simple and fun.
Simple Probability~
Young children love to see if things will work as they guess. For this activity, remove all ducks but two from the water. Model how the ducks can be made to move from one end of the tub to the other by simply making waves under the water without touching the ducks. Have the child predict which of the ducks might win a tub race, then each of you pick a duck and splash your way to the finish line!
Looking for other creative ways to introduce young children to math? Check out the activities, resources and online games for early math learners at PBS Parents.
