Lovely childcare

Let’s get infants and one-year-olds excited at the sports day too! A collection of event ideas for parents and children to enjoy together.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

When it comes to sports day, it’s all about parent-child events! Here are some wonderful activities that even infants and wobbly-walking 0-year-olds can enjoy.

From the “Animal Train” to “Kinraki Rappon,” there are plenty of hands-on activities tailored to children’s stages of growth.

Whether a child can sit up or still needs to be held, these events let everyone join in together.

They can transform into cute animals, play hand games, and sway happily with their parents.

Create joyful memories filled with sparkling smiles from the children!

Playtime for Parents and Children (1–10)

Ohisamarch

[Yotsuba, Mitsuba, Suzuran, and Nanohana Nursery Schools] 2023 Sports Day – Parent-and-Child Play for 0-Year-Olds: “Ohisama March”

Ohisamarch

We would like to introduce the parent–child activity for “Ohisamarch,” which can be enjoyed by parents and children in a way that suits each 0-year-old’s individual development.

Facing each other, parents and children touch hands to the music, and there are moments when the beloved caregiver lifts the child up high—something that children who love close interaction will find especially delightful.

This face-to-face, hands-on play allows children to participate with a sense of security and enjoy the activity together.

It’s an adorable event, so why not try incorporating it into your sports day?

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Sparkle-pop

[Koganei Nursery School] FY2024 Parent-Child Sports Day: 0-Year-Old Class Parent-Child Play 'Kirakira Pon'

Sparkle-pop

Bursting into smiles! Here are some sparkling ideas from Kirakira-pon.

Many teachers may be unsure about parent–child events for infants under one year old.

How about making “parent–child bonding” the theme this time? Swaying gently to music and rhythms, and spending time in close contact can create a sense of comfort for both caregivers and children.

Since this will be the first sports day for these zero-year-old children, set the goal to encourage cheerful participation in a bright, enjoyable atmosphere.

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The Daruma doll

Here’s a game that incorporates the wildly popular children’s book series “Daruma-san.” Enlarge and copy the Daruma character from the picture book, paste it onto cardboard, and make a Daruma that can be rolled.

Players roll their Daruma along, and whoever reaches the goal first wins.

Since they get to roll a character they love, kids are sure to be thrilled.

Because it’s round, keeping it rolling straight can be a bit tricky, but try encouraging them and taking it slow.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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animal

[Yotsuba & Mitsuba] 0-year-old Sports Day Performance: “Animal Exercises 1-2-3”

animal

How about incorporating “Animal Exercises” as a fun sports day activity for infants? It’s simple: a few teachers stand at the front and demonstrate the exercises, and the children and their guardians copy the moves.

For example, hop like a bunny, or stretch your arms like an elephant’s trunk and swing them side to side—include movements that reflect each animal’s characteristics.

If it goes well, the whole preschool might transform into an adorable little zoo!

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Hajimari pushu

[Yakushiji Kindergarten, Futaba Kodomoen, Aoba Hoikuen] FY2023 Infant Department Sports Day: 0-Year-Old Parent–Child Dance “Hajimari Pushu”

Hajimari pushu

Why not enjoy some parent-child playtime with “Hajimari Pushu,” known as the opening song of the children’s program “SinaPushu”? The choreography is simple and familiar—waving to the rhythm with moves like “bye-bye” and peekaboo.

The song is short and has a slow tempo, so even 0-year-olds can dance along without difficulty.

If the caregiver dances, kids will surely want to imitate and join in! You can also enjoy plenty of parent-child interaction, like cuddling closely or lifting your child up high.

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Swirly Mixed Juice

FY2019 Minami Nursery School Sports Day — Parent and Infant Event for 0-Year-Olds (Spin-Spin Mixed Juice)

Swirly Mixed Juice

When it comes to parent-child events that 0-year-olds can take part in with their caregivers, there’s the “Kurukuru Mixed Juice.” In this activity, caregivers hold their infants and run a course set up on the playground or in the gym.

Caregivers line up at the start, and at the signal, they take off.

They spin around as many times as the number of boxes matching the items in front of them—strawberry, carrot, and cherry.

Next, once they’ve picked up the juice ahead, they clink glasses with the teacher and head to the finish.

It’s an event where children can choose their favorite juice, while deepening the bond between parent and child.

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My Neighbor Totoro

Sports Day – Parent-Child Event (A Stroll with Totoro)

My Neighbor Totoro

An idea that’s perfect for a sports day where parents and children work together is one that draws on the world of My Neighbor Totoro.

Set to music from the film, the event features a variety of evolving activities.

Because it’s a competition parents and children do together from start to finish, even infants in the 0-year-old class can enjoy it without any issues.

You can picture adorable babies crawling or rolling balls.

Using illustrations inspired by the Catbus or Totoro to evoke the anime’s atmosphere is also a great touch.

It’s a theme where you can either cheer on a child striving on their own or step in to assist and strengthen your bond.

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