RAG MusicChildcare
Lovely childcare

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

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

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 (1–10) for performances recommended for two-year-olds’ recitals and play events

[Drama Play] Can you do it?

Higashi Nursery School: Can We Do the Recital?
[Drama Play] Can you do it?

Can You Do It? is the original title of a picture book by Eric Carle, famous as the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

By adding music, children can enjoy expressing themselves while imitating the actions.

Various animals appear, and the story presents movements characteristic of each animal with the prompt, “Can you do it?” Let’s also make costumes to match each animal so the children can fully become that animal.

The sight of them expressing themselves by moving their little hands, feet, and bodies as much as they can is utterly adorable and will make you want to cheer them on.

tsukada moe
Report a problem

Dramatic Play: Working Vehicles

FY2020 Life Presentation [Yumenomi (2-year-olds) Edition] Performance [Working Vehicles]
Dramatic Play: Working Vehicles

“Hataraku Kuruma” is a song released in 1986 on the TV program “Hirake! Ponkikki.” It’s widely known across generations.

Let’s try a little play using this song.

Have each child ride in a ‘working vehicle’ and dress them in matching costumes.

Add simple choreography and call-and-response chants, and you’ve got a great performance! To make sure they enjoy the recital day, try incorporating playful elements into practice and get creative!

tsukada moe
Report a problem

[Dramatic Play] The Bento Bus

Mebae-kai 2-year-olds' play: “The Bento Bus”
[Dramatic Play] The Bento Bus

Isn’t “The Bento Bus” a familiar theme for teachers? Because it’s based on a picture book, it’s easy to use for introductory activities like read-alouds.

The story follows various bento ingredients getting on a bus.

Have the children become bento ingredients and present their parts.

For two-year-olds who are beginning to express themselves in their own way, you can create individual moments for each child to shine.

It will turn into a dreamlike bus filled with adorable ingredients.

We also recommend arranging it to suit each child’s personality.

tsukada moe
Report a problem

[Play Acting] The Wonderful Hat ShopMasuda Hiroko

Lovely Hat Shop - 9th Performance Day - #2-year-olds
[Play Acting] The Wonderful Hat Shop Hiroko Masuda

How about putting on a little play based on Keropons’ panel theater “The Wonderful Hat Shop”? At the hat shop, various animals come looking for hats that suit them.

Watching the children wear adorable hats will warm the hearts of the audience.

Since there’s a storyline and spoken lines, it might be a bit challenging to memorize, but with fun practice, the children can create their own charming version of “The Wonderful Hat Shop.” Incorporating hat-shop pretend play into childcare activities is also recommended.

tsukada moe
Report a problem

[Instrument Play] If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands

#49 [Instrument Play] “If You’re Happy and You Know It” — 2-Year-Old Class
[Instrument Play] If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands

If you’re doing instrument play with two-year-olds, castanets—which make a sound when you tap them—are a great choice.

And the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is perfect for showing children the idea of tapping the castanets.

First, let them get familiar with the song without instruments and have fun clapping along; then, when they finally hold the instruments, their expression will come across smoothly.

The bright melody and simple lyrics take on a fresh charm when expressed in children’s voices.

Be sure to learn the song together and enjoy the school performance to the fullest.

tsukada moe
Report a problem

[Dance] Sushi PicnicDaisuke Yokoyama / Takumi Mitani

“Osushi no Picnic” is a song that has been passed down on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” In this song, which starts with rice (shari) and introduces various sushi toppings, encourage the children to become sushi themselves.

Have them move their bodies and spin to the music…

You’ll really feel how much they’ve grown as you see them doing things they couldn’t before.

By the time children are two years old, many may understand the difference between everyday childcare and a performance and get nervous.

With the fun “Osushi no Picnic,” their tension should gradually melt away.

tsukada moe
Report a problem

[Dance] The Magic of SmilesYuiko Ohara

“The Magic of Smiles (Hanakappa Theme Song)” by Yuiko Ohara: ‘Easy Dance for Ages 2 and Up.’ A simple arranged dance perfect for recitals and sports days!
[Dance] The Magic of Smiles Yuiko Ohara

The theme song of the anime Hanakappa, Egao no Mahou, is a rhythmical and bright piece that leaves a strong impression.

Let’s have the children jump around with energy to this song.

If you’re dancing with two-year-olds, the key is to enjoy dancing within the childcare setting.

Start by letting each child enjoy the music and the dance, so it doesn’t turn into strict practice.

It can also be nice to incorporate changes in position depending on how the children are doing.

Seeing the children dance happily is sure to move both teachers and parents.

tsukada moe
Report a problem
Read morechevron_right
[Play Acting] The Giant Turnip