For 4-year-olds (middle preschool)! Performances such as plays and songs for recitals and school shows

Play-Act: The Elves and the Shoemaker

Himawari (4-year-olds): Play “The Elves and the Shoemaker”

The Elves and the Shoemaker is based on a Grimm fairy tale and is a well-loved picture book story.

A poor shoemaker has no money to buy leather to make shoes.

After the shoemaker goes to sleep, little elves arrive…

and so the story unfolds.

It’s a perfect theme for four-year-olds who are interested in the invisible and the world of imagination.

Not only is the scene where the cute elves make shoes delightful, but the warm story and its characters are enjoyable for parents watching as well.

There’s also a drama-play CD available, so it might be nice to incorporate it.

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tsukada moe

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[Dance] Popopo PoseGReeeeN

Popopopopose!

Introducing GReeeeN’s “Popopopo Pose,” a big hit from NHK’s Inai Inai Baa! The ‘pa-pi-pu-pe-po’ sounds have a magical appeal that captivates children.

This song packs lots of ‘p’ sounds into the lyrics, making it fun to both listen to and sing.

Plus, it includes rock-paper-scissors, which 4-year-olds love, so kids can dance as if they’re playing.

If you match the choreography to the lyrics, you can express yourself using your whole body—it’s great fun.

Adding a section where kids can move freely with their favorite poses brings out individuality and turns it into a dance that’s enjoyable for the audience too.

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hanauta obasan

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[Play] The Three Magic Talismans

The Nursery School Recital of “The Three Magic Talismans”

Here is an introduction to “The Three Charms” from Japanese folktales.

This story features a mountain witch (yamanba) and is a scary tale, but many children love spooky stories.

For kids who are fascinated by things like ogres, ghosts, or even hell despite knowing they’re scary, I think this makes a great play-acting activity.

It seems fun for the children to discuss what kind of yamanba to portray and decide together how to deliver their lines.

While keeping in mind that not only adults but also very young children might be watching, wouldn’t it be a delightful play for the children to take the lead and enjoy themselves?

[Play] Momotaro

Senior class recital “Momotaro”

Staging a Momotaro play at a recital is recommended because it’s familiar and widely known, making it easy for children to visualize and get into their roles.

When assigning parts such as Momotaro, the grandfather, the grandmother, the dog, the monkey, the pheasant, and the ogres, it’s important to imagine the actual performance and ask the children which roles interest them, moving forward together.

Let’s work with the children to create lines and costumes that allow each child to feel like a main character.

Reading the Momotaro picture book and sharing the story with the children is also a great idea!

“Dance” Brother Ship

2015 Play Recital “Siblings’ Boat” (Older Kindergarten Children)

The dance “Kyodaibune,” which conveys strength and growth, hinges on the children’s expressions and synchronized movements.

When practicing, first work on the choreography, then incorporate practice sessions with the music.

For scenes with formation changes, it’s helpful to place colored vinyl tape markers on the floor so each child can understand their position—highly recommended for clarity.

If the children wear their hakama several times before the performance to get used to them, the event may run more smoothly.

Making large, bold movements with the folding fans gives the whole piece a tighter feel and makes it look even cooler.

[Ensemble] Passion Continent

Hiraga Nursery School: Passion Continent – Ensemble by the oldest kindergarten class

Get your heart pounding with the children’s performance! Here are some ideas for playing ‘Jounetsu Tairiku.’ Many parents watching the recital may be moved to tears as they think about all the preparation the children have done for this day.

Because they genuinely find joy in performing, their bodies naturally move and smiles spread across their faces.

Why not incorporate ‘Jounetsu Tairiku,’ a perfect fit for the theme of enjoying music, into your recital? It’s sure to become a memorable piece for the children, their parents, and the teachers alike.

[Operetta] The Talkative Omelette

Senior class Ume group: The Chatty Tamagoyaki (rolled omelet)

A play I recommend for older kindergarteners is The Chatty Tamagoyaki.

It’s an operetta, with songs and dances at its core.

In the video that’s introduced, the children move and dance in time with the lines on the CD to express the story.

When a play gets longer, memorizing lines, positions, movements, and dances can be tough, so coordinating movement to pre-recorded lines may be easier to learn and proceed with.

Since there are no spoken lines by the children, they can focus on the movement, making it feel like a musical and resulting in a fun performance.