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 life presentations and recitals! Performances like plays and songs (21–30)

[Ensemble] Smile

FY2021 Asahi Juku Kindergarten Living Presentation: Junior Class Ensemble 'Smile'

[Ensemble] Smile

There are a few songs titled “Smile,” but this one is the track released by the music duo HOF DYLAN in 1996.

It also drew attention when Nana Mori covered it in 2020.

If you’re considering an instrument performance for the recital, why not have everyone play this song together? It’s well-known, so many kids might already know it, and the tempo is slow, making it easier for children to check their fingering as they play.

Try performing it with instruments like drums, bells, and castanets.

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[Dance] Wondafour

[Recital/Children’s Dance] Wonderful (A dance even 3-year-olds can learn in 5 minutes)

[Dance] Wondafour

This is a song called “Wan-Da-Four,” sung by Wataru Yokoo and Taisuke Fujigaya of the idol group Kis-My-Ft2.

The lyrics depict a fun, happy everyday life where a dog dances and sings, feels a little lonely when its owner isn’t around, and even gets up to a bit of mischief.

The choreography is original and designed so that even three-year-olds can dance to it.

The tempo is slow and easy to dance to, so be sure to show off your moves with this song!

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[Dramatic Play] The Glutton of the Candy Star

Play: The Sweets Planet Gluttons — Sumire Class (3-year-olds, junior class) at the nursery school recital, December 2015, Fukui City

[Dramatic Play] The Glutton of the Candy Star

This play-acting activity is themed around sweets that children love.

It’s adorable how the performers wear hats shaped like chocolate, ice cream, and cake.

There are scenes where everyone sings together, parts where each child delivers lines, and even back-and-forth dialogues.

There seems to be a lot to keep track of—cues, positions, and the flow of the story—but since the theme is sweets, the children might actually memorize it quite easily.

It sounds like a fun play activity, so please consider it as a performance piece for your recital!

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Song: All the Children of the World

Age 3, winter — school performance: “Children of the World” — song

Song: All the Children of the World

If you’re looking to sing a song everyone knows at a recital, how about performing Sekai-ju no Kodomotachi ga (All the Children of the World)? This song was released by Hirotaka Nakagawa in 1988 and has even appeared in elementary school music textbooks.

It was also featured on the children’s TV program Ponkikkies 21, so many parents are likely familiar with it.

With lyrics that truly touch the heart, it’s a song you’ll want to listen to while wishing for children’s happiness.

Since it’s a bit long when sung all the way through, you might stick to just the first verse for three-year-olds.

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Song: Beyond the Rainbow

Maple Leaf Song - Junior Class C: "Beyond the Rainbow"

Song: Beyond the Rainbow

Beyond the Rainbow is a song that has been passed down on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho since 1996.

Many teachers and parents have probably heard it.

Its bright, hope-filled lyrics seem to represent the children’s future.

It’s no surprise that the lyrics and music were created by Osamu Sakata, the seventh “Uta no Onii-san.” It’s a perfect piece for energetic three-year-olds who want to sing out loud with enthusiasm.

Let’s give a big round of applause to the children’s voices resonating throughout the venue.

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