Ducks and swans

Read and enjoy together the story of ‘The Ugly Duckling’.

In a section of your room, cover a wall in green or blue backing paper to represent water. Display pictures of ducks, ducklings, swans and cygnets on the wall. Point out to the children the similarities and differences between the ducklings and cygnets. To help the children understand how the swan might have been mistaken for a duckling, remind them that both are hatched from eggs, both live near water, and can ‘swim’ by paddling on the surface. Leave the story of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ nearby for the children to refer to.

Listen to an audio recording of The Ugly Duckling story in the ‘Ducks and swans’ area. Encourage the children to control the audio independently by clicking the play and pause buttons . As they listen to the story, pictures can be followed in the book.

Arrange a musical area, including a variety of simple instruments for the children to experiment with, a recording of ‘The Ugly Duckling’.

Provide a water tray with plastic ducks, swans and so on, together with heavy items such as stones, to encourage the children to enjoy re-enacting the story, and investigating objects that float and sink.