Lovely childcare

[For 3-year-olds] Recommended for recital and performance days! Skits, songs, and other program ideas

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.

The recital, one of the major events at nursery schools and kindergartens, is a valuable opportunity for parents to see how their children have grown.

In the younger classes, many children may be participating in a recital for the first time.

For teachers who are thinking, “We want to put on something that 3-year-olds will enjoy!” this is a must-read.

Here we introduce activity ideas that are perfectly suited to the developmental stage of 3-year-olds.

In addition to simple plays, we’ve gathered plenty of recommended ideas—songs, instrument play, and dances—that let 3-year-olds freely express their unique charm and individual personalities.

Find ideas that will excite the children and be sure to try them out.

[For 3-year-olds] Recommended for school recitals and performances! Program ideas like plays and songs (1–10)

[Play-acting] The Rolling Rice Ball

Play “The Rolling Rice Ball” — 3-year-olds, Mezobae-kai (Growth Presentation) 2019-12-14

[Play-acting] The Rolling Rice Ball

“Omusubi Kororin” is a story familiar to many children.

An old man who has gone out to work accidentally drops his rice ball for lunch into a hole that leads to the mice’s home, and as a result he’s invited to their house.

He spends a delightful time with the mice and even receives a parting gift.

But when a slightly mean old man who lives nearby hears the story, he deliberately drops his own rice ball into the mice’s hole.

So, what will happen to this old man? While it can be challenging to memorize the lines and sequence, I think it’s a very rewarding play activity to try.

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[Play] The Enormous Turnip

[Daichi] Play-acting: 'The Giant Turnip'

[Play] The Enormous Turnip

The Gigantic Turnip is a beloved classic, isn’t it? You can enjoy it with the original characters, or it’s fun to adapt the roles to match the children’s personalities.

If the three-year-olds are ready to play in character, they can adorably act like the grandpa and grandma.

The scene where the children line up and pull the turnip with a heave-ho makes you want to cheer them on.

May it become a wonderful performance filled with the children’s big voices.

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[Song] After a Fight

FY2013 Tega-no-Oka Kindergarten Music Recital, Junior Class, Singing: After the Fight

[Song] After a Fight

By the time children are three, they interact more with friends and, as a result, experience quarrels and misunderstandings.

It’s sad for anyone to fight with a friend, isn’t it? “After a Quarrel” is a song that makes you reflect on those sad feelings and think about what to do after a fight.

The rhythmic melody might feel challenging to sing, but with careful, repeated practice, it will come together as an expression that’s very true to children.

The chorus lyrics are so cute that you might find yourself smiling without realizing it as you listen.

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[For 3-year-olds] Recommended for school recitals and performances! Activities like plays and songs (11–20)

Song: It’s fun.

Song: “It’s Fun” … 3-year-olds (Kirin Class)

Song: It's fun.

“Tanoshii ne” was introduced on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1965.

If you’re an adult in Japan, you’ve probably heard it at least once.

Though simple, its lyrics are thought-provoking when you listen closely.

It’s a song you can sing while clapping or holding hands, so children can enjoy practicing it.

Since it has many high notes, it’s also good practice for projecting the voice and staying on pitch.

Let’s fill the venue with the energetic voices of the children.

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It’s Great to Be Human (Song)

Song: “It’s Great to Be Human” … 3-year-olds (Ume Class)

It's Great to Be Human (Song)

The song “Ningen tte Iina,” which was the theme song for the TV anime Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi, may be more familiar to parents and teachers than to children.

However, its universal lyrics and melody still resonate gently when today’s children sing it.

Adding simple choreography will make the performance even more engaging.

Learning and singing the long lyrics also lets you feel the growth of three-year-olds.

Let’s all enjoy the adorable “Ningen tte Iina” together.

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[Dramatic Play] Who’s going to have a party?

A theater presentation resource for kindergarten and daycare teachers: a cute story for younger children titled “Who’s Coming to the Party?” In it, a little squirrel looks for the friends who received its invitations. It can be performed joyfully as a play using parody lyrics to the tune of ‘The Bear Went Over the Mountain.’

[Dramatic Play] Who's going to have a party?

Birthday parties, Christmas parties… kids love parties, don’t they? “Who’s Having a Party?” is a story about a squirrel who sets out to find the friends who sent party invitations.

The invitations have clues like carrots or what seem to be the friends’ footprints, but the most important part—the names—is missing.

Along the way, the squirrel meets various animals, and the search has a puzzle-like fun that makes it great for a dramatized play.

The audience will enjoy imagining, “Who could the friend be?” too.

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[Dance] Is it a banana?Kunihiro Taniguchi

#46 [Dance] “Is it a banana?” Nursery (3-year-old class)

[Dance] Is it a banana? Kunihiro Taniguchi

“Is It a Banana?” is a cute song with a bouncy rhythm and fun lyrics.

Have the children transform into banana-loving little monkeys and enjoy dancing.

Even with simple choreography, each child’s own expression will turn it into a one-of-a-kind performance that can only be seen in that moment.

It’s also great to enjoy the song itself and dance while singing.

Don’t get caught up in practice—make it something they can happily dance to during everyday care.

Let’s all—teachers and parents alike—cheer on the adorable mini-sized monkeys as they dance!

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