The Duckling Crosses the Lake

Sitting around the parachute, children make very gentle ripples so a rubber duck crosses the lake to the classmate whose name is called. It builds fine control of force, calm and attention to classmates.

How to play

1. Sitting with the fabric over our legs, the teacher places the duck in the middle and explains that the lake is very calm (1 min).
2. With tiny ripples, the duck moves without tipping over; the teacher says "Shh, it'll get scared!" if the waves get big (1 min).
3. The teacher says a child's name and together we bring the duck to them with gentle ripples (2 min).
4. That child says the next friend's name and the duck continues its trip (1 min).
5. The duck goes to sleep in the middle of the lake and we leave the fabric still as a mirror (1 min).

Rules

• Ripples are tiny and very gentle.
• Don't touch the duck with your hands.
• Wait for your name to be called.
• Talk quietly so the duck doesn't get scared.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child who can't sit on the floor joins from a low chair with the fabric over their knees.
• Autism: let the child hold the duck for a moment before the game begins.
• Visual impairment: the duck has a bell and we let the child know when it's coming.

Learning goals

• Control force to make very gentle movements.
• Calm down after activity.
• Pay attention to classmates' names.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Rainbow parachute: 1
• Large rubber duck: 1

Teacher tip

Use a large duck, bigger than a child's fist, so it can't be swallowed. If the group speeds up, stop the lake and take one breath together before going on.

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