Fingerplays prepare your child to sound out words as she learns to read. Adding actions helps children break down language into separate words and introduce them to new words.

Five little ducks went out one day, (Hold up five fingers)
Over the hills and far away, (Wave bye-bye)
Mother duck said "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
But only four little ducks came back. (Hold up four fingers)

Repeat rhyme for:
Four little ducks went out one day...
Three little ducks went out one day...
Two little ducks went out one day...
One little ducks went out one day...

Over the hills and far away, (wave bye-bye)
Mother duck said "Quack, quack, quack, quack,
"But none of the five little ducks came back. (open hands in an 'empty' gesture)

Sad mother duck went out one day, (sing it sadly and slowly)
Over the hills and far away,
Mother duck said, "QUACK! QUACK! QUACK! QUACK!"
And all of the five little ducks came back.(Wave hand with all five fingers!)