Lovely childcare

Ideas for performances recommended for two-year-olds’ recitals and play events

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.

Teachers searching for ideas for performances and recitals that “2-year-olds will enjoy” won’t want to miss this.

This time, we’re introducing ideas for activities recommended for 2-year-olds.

We’ve gathered lots of fun, exciting ideas—like dramatic play, instrument play, songs, and fingerplays—that will spark 2-year-olds’ “I want to try it!” motivation.

We’re also sharing several videos of children actually doing these activities, which should help teachers picture what the real performance will look like.

Please use these as a reference and adapt them to match the children’s interests and developmental levels.

Ideas for performances recommended for 2-year-olds’ recitals and play events (21–30)

[Dramatic Play] The Big Leaf

Introducing a model performance of the fun play “The Big Leaf,” perfect for children aged 2 to preschool. It’s one of the cutest stories from the theatrical presentation materials “Children’s Opera,” designed for kindergarten and nursery school teachers!

[Dramatic Play] The Big Leaf

Here is an introduction to the play “The Big Leaf.” One day, a big leaf had fallen in the forest.

In order, Mr.

Monkey, Mr.

Tiger, Mr.

Mouse, and Mr.

Caterpillar put on masks, come on stage for their parts, and say their lines.

Each animal uses the fallen leaf as a parasol, a plate, or a fan, but only Mr.

Caterpillar, who loves leaves, ends up eating it at the very end—making for a charming story.

At the end, everyone sings a lively song for the finale.

Since there’s also a picture book, it’s easy to introduce in early childhood settings, and children will likely enjoy taking part.

This play is recommended for ages around 2 through preschool (younger class).

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Instrument Play] Stroll

#130 [Music Concert] ♪ Stroll 🌼 (2-year-old class)

[Instrument Play] Stroll

“Sanpo,” the ending theme from Studio Ghibli’s animated film My Neighbor Totoro, is a song that many children know well! Since it’s all about the beloved activity of taking a walk, it’s a fun tune for kids to imagine the scenery as they sing.

When performing it at a recital, try incorporating simple instrument play while singing.

For two-year-olds, easy-to-handle instruments like bells or castanets are a great choice.

Keep the rhythm with the instruments and sing out cheerfully!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Dance] Sorry for being cute

[2-year-olds] Life Presentation (FY 2023) #Dance

[Dance] Sorry for being cute

Released in 2022, HoneyWorks’ song “Kawaikute Gomen” became a huge hit, especially among girls.

With its sparkling, poppy melody, it’s a perfect track to make kids’ earnest dance moves look even cuter.

The lyrics portray a hardworking girl who affirms herself no matter what anyone says and lives boldly, inspiring us to hope that children will grow up with that same resilience.

How about dressing up in idol-like, adorable outfits and performing a dance to this song?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Instrument Play] The Mysterious Pocket

Musical instrument play: “The Mysterious Pocket” … for 2-year-olds

[Instrument Play] The Mysterious Pocket

How about a percussion ensemble of “Fushigi na Pocket” for a performance by two-year-olds? In the video we’re introducing, the children say the rhythms out loud—like “tan tan tan”—while playing their instruments, making it easy and fun even for two-year-olds to join in.

Of course, they can also play the instruments while singing, and the children will still enjoy participating.

Even just with percussion, it’s absolutely adorable, so why not include it in your recital or event? Adding simple choreography would be cute, too!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Play] The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs

[Play] The Three Little Pigs

The well-known story of The Three Little Pigs.

If you’re working with two-year-olds, turn it into a play activity set to a fun song.

Even just imitating the teacher and expressing it in their own way makes for a wonderful performance.

Since it’s a long story, rotating roles during the presentation will help reduce the children’s burden.

To make use of choreography and props, add playful elements like a tidying-up game so the children enjoy themselves.

Wishing you a lovely recital!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Song: Mountain Musician

♪The mountain musician – I’m a musician, a little squirrel of the mountain~♪ (with gestures)

Song: Mountain Musician

“Yama no Ongakuka” (The Mountain Musicians) is a fun song where animals play instruments.

If you’re doing it with two-year-olds, keeping the tempo on the slower side will make it easier to sing.

It’s also nice to prepare costumes for animals like little squirrels or small birds.

To help children visualize each instrument, using picture books or paper theater (papercraft puppets) is recommended.

Since there are lyrics up to verse 5, memorizing everything might be challenging.

It’s best to gauge how far to sing based on the children’s responses.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Playing Instruments] PaprikaFoorin

Fun Ensemble Concert♪

[Playing Instruments] PaprikaFoorin

Paprika, which sparked a huge craze, is still a favorite song for many children and teachers, isn’t it? If you slow the tempo down from the original, it becomes a tune that even two-year-olds can enjoy.

For instrument play, choose easy-to-sound items like maracas or toy castanets.

The key is to let them enjoy it in their own way—clapping along with the music or playing instruments to the beat.

Trying the song’s memorable choreography is a great idea, too!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem