[For 1-year-olds] Performance for the school recital
Many nursery teachers may be struggling to decide what to present at a performance for one-year-olds.
Even within the one-year-old age group, a small difference in months can greatly change what children can do, so choosing an act is tricky.
A performance is an important event where parents can see their children’s growth.
It’s best if the children can enjoy practicing from the start.
Here are some selections of acts for one-year-olds that let them have fun singing and dancing.
They might get a bit nervous on the day of the performance—but that’s adorable too, and it would be wonderful if teachers and parents could all watch over them together.
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[For 1-year-olds] Performances for the end-of-term presentation (21–30)
[Play Acting] Baby Eggs
![[Play Acting] Baby Eggs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ODV29wr25C0/sddefault.jpg)
Let me introduce an ideal play-acting activity for a 1-year-old class performance: “Baby Eggs.” At the teacher’s cue—“Knock, knock, knock, come on out!”—children wearing adorable costumes hatch from eggs as crabs, dinosaurs, dragonflies, fish, and elephants.
They appear in small groups for each animal.
After coming on stage, each child has their name called, answers cheerfully, and then performs a simple dance that matches their animal to music.
Performing on stage can be nerve-wracking, so don’t push too hard.
Create a setup where the teacher can support the children, and make it a warm, encouraging performance.
[Dance] Moo-Moo Hula Dance
![[Dance] Moo-Moo Hula Dance](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IZdHekg9IJI/sddefault.jpg)
Let me introduce the Moo-Moo Hula Dance, perfect for one-year-olds with its cow costumes and gently flowing music.
The children appear wearing cow masks and cow outfits made from colored plastic bags.
Call each child in the class by name one by one.
When you hear a cheerful reply, start the music and begin the dance.
Have fun by swaying the pom-poms left and right and stomping your feet.
By adding simple poses like waving goodbye and bowing, the children will become more familiar with the dance and enjoy participating.
[Game] Mr./Ms. Kinoko’s Birthday
![[Game] Mr./Ms. Kinoko's Birthday](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lDYgm9Gb0J4/sddefault.jpg)
Let’s hold a birthday party by imagining the zero-year-old children as mushrooms.
These infants in the class are growing from 0 to 1 year old.
Each child and their parents must have welcomed the birthday with a variety of feelings.
Many preschools hold monthly birthday parties, but it’s also nice to have everyone celebrate during a performance or presentation.
Dress the children in colorful mushroom costumes and prepare easy-to-play instruments like jingle bells.
It’s a program that lets you truly feel the children’s growth.
[Dramatic Play] The Bento Bus
![[Dramatic Play] The Bento Bus](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qROualoI9uc/sddefault.jpg)
Let’s ride the Bento Bus! For performances at the end-of-term showcase, many preschools choose material based on familiar fingerplays and picture books.
This time, we’re introducing “The Bento Bus.” The children transform into the side dishes inside a bento and board the bus.
The costumes inspired by the different foods are adorable, too! Calling each child’s name during the performance and having them answer “Here!” gives everyone a special moment on stage, so it’s highly recommended.
Give it a try in your program!
[Gymnastics] Working Vehicles
![[Gymnastics] Working Vehicles](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NVcOuikdKTw/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s an exercise routine featuring working vehicles that’s super popular with one-year-olds.
Incorporate movements like a bulldozer, excavator, and dump truck, and have fun moving your body.
There are many repeated motions, so it’s easy for one-year-olds to remember.
To finish, we recommend striking a pose of your favorite vehicle.
For the performance, put on a mask of your favorite vehicle or attach sparkly pompoms to your arms to really get into character, boost the excitement, and enjoy!
[Play/Drama Activity] What Color Do You Like?
![[Play/Drama Activity] What Color Do You Like?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B0bzXREYPXE/sddefault.jpg)
What colors do you all like? This performance, where the children pretend to be colorful crayons and sing, is absolutely adorable.
Crayons are familiar items from everyday crafts and picture books, so children feel at ease with them.
Parents are sure to smile when the cute kids appear transformed into green, red, blue, and yellow crayons! Whether they’re humming along with their friends or freezing up from nerves, these are precious moments you can only see now.
Be sure to give it a try.
[Rhythm Play] Drive! Tambourine
![[Rhythm Play] Drive! Tambourine](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4N-dEjIISvw/sddefault.jpg)
Introducing Drive! Tambourine, with a lively tempo and bright rhythm that are perfect for one-year-olds.
Pretend the tambourine is a steering wheel and let’s drive the car.
Tap the tambourine to honk the horn.
When the ghost appears, hide behind the tambourine and peek out, then hide again—adding humor to the movements makes this rhythm play irresistibly fun for one-year-olds.
For recitals, it’s also recommended that everyone line up and transform into drivers together.


