Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory Dickory Dock

Help children practise counting from 1 to 12 with this classic nursery rhyme. Through singing, number games and printable activities, children can develop number recognition, sequencing, pattern awareness and fine motor skills.

Ages 2–5 15 minutes Download Lesson Plan (pdf)

Learning objectives

  • Count forwards with support from 1 to 12
  • Recognise and sequence numbers appropriate to the child's developmental stage
  • Practise listening and joining in with repeated lyrics
  • Identify and continue a simple visual pattern
  • Develop fine motor control through tracing, colouring or drawing

What you'll need

  • Screen or device to play the song video
  • Hickory Dickory Dock activity pack PDF
  • Pencils or crayons
  • Optional number cards from 1 to 12

Watch and sing

Watch the song together, then follow the activities below.

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Lesson activities

Step 1: Watch and sing along

3 minutes

Play the Hickory Dickory Dock video. Encourage children to join in with the repeated rhyme and notice what happens when the clock strikes each number. Invite them to show the numbers on their fingers where appropriate.

Step 2: Count with the mouse

3 minutes

Revisit the numbers in the song. Count forwards together, using fingers, number cards or spoken counting. Ask children what happens when the clock strikes one, two or another number they remember. Younger children can concentrate on the first few numbers.

Step 3: Choose an activity-pack challenge

7 minutes

Choose an activity suited to the group. Children can count the mice and match groups to numbers, put numbers in order on the clock faces, continue a mouse pattern or help the mouse through the maze. Offer tracing or colouring as an alternative. Support children with number recognition and pencil control as needed.

Step 4: Recap and celebrate

2 minutes

Sing the rhyme again or count together from one to twelve. Ask children to share a number they remember or describe something the mouse did. Praise participation and effort.

Questions to ask

  • What animal runs up the clock?
  • What happens when the clock strikes a number?
  • Can you count along with the mouse?
  • What number comes next?
  • Can you spot or continue the pattern?

Finish together

Children have explored counting through a familiar nursery rhyme and practised number recognition, sequencing or pattern skills through a selected printable activity. Adapt the number range and level of support to each child's stage of development.

Free printable activity pack

Continue the lesson with the matching activity sheets.

Download activity pack (pdf) Explore all activity packs