Lovely childcare

Recommended for 5-year-olds! A collection of ideas for plays and dances for senior kindergarteners’ performances

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

The recital is the culmination of the 5-year-olds’ life at the kindergarten.

As teachers, you want it to be an event that conveys the children’s growth.

That’s where the dilemma of choosing the program comes in.

Selecting pieces that let the children enjoy themselves and shine with enthusiasm is something every teacher puzzles over.

So we’ve gathered ideas that are perfect for 5-year-olds, such as plays and ensemble performances.

We’ve picked out a variety of ideas to match your school’s unique style, so please use them as a reference when deciding on your program.

Recommended for 5-year-olds! A collection of ideas for plays and dances at senior kindergarteners’ recitals (11–20)

[Play] Momotaro

Senior class recital “Momotaro”

[Play] 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!

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[Dance] Fluttering Dancing Fan

Kindergarten cultural presentation: a dance performance by the oldest class, 'Hirahira Mai Ougi' (Fluttering Dance with Fans).

[Dance] Fluttering Dancing Fan

Hirahira Mai Ogi, a dance using a folding fan that’s perfect for recitals, highlights flowing movements and cute gestures.

It’s best to choose simple music and choreography.

Practice posture and movements carefully, and find ways to make practice fun for the children as they move to the music.

If they’ll be wearing kimono or similar attire on the day, have them wear it during practice beforehand so they get used to it—this can help the performance go smoothly.

After the recital, be sure to praise the children a lot.

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Operetta: Pinocchio

Pinocchio

Operetta: Pinocchio

Have you ever heard the story that your nose grows when you tell a lie? In fact, that’s exactly the tale of Pinocchio.

It’s a work about a puppet given life, and it’s famous for the idea that his nose grows when he lies.

It might be a bit challenging to stage as a straight play, but turning it into an operetta and incorporating songs and dance could make it fun to perform.

Children can deliver the lines themselves, or if you want them to focus on dance and movement, you could play the dialogue and songs as audio.

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[Play] Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

FY2019 Minami Nursery School Performance, 5-year-old Class: “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp”

[Play] Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp features a genie who grants three wishes.

Aladdin is one of Disney’s most popular works, and it’s a story everyone knows.

Because the plot revolves around wishes being granted, it’s easy for children to follow the story.

There are also several famous songs in Aladdin, so it would be great to perform a dance to one of them at the end of the play.

Memorizing lines for a play can be tough! In that case, we recommend assigning the same role to multiple children and having them take turns on stage.

To capture the world of Aladdin, be sure to create some dazzling costumes, too!

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[Ensemble] Passion Continent

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

[Ensemble] Passion Continent

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.

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[Ensemble] 100% Courage

FY2023 Recital: Sorakujira Team Ensemble “100% Courage” #Hatsukaichi Kujira Nursery School #4-year-olds #5-year-olds #Ensemble

[Ensemble] 100% Courage

How about using “Yuuki 100%” for the recital ensemble? This song is one of the pieces often performed at daycare centers and kindergartens, and it’s very familiar to children.

It’s also appealing that, with the teacher playing the main piano part, the piece can be performed using only percussion for the rest.

It’s an uplifting song that gives you energy when you listen to it, so practice should be enjoyable, too.

Try having fun with the arrangement—sing while playing, or switch instruments partway through.

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[For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended for Senior Kindergarten Recitals! A Collection of Play and Dance Ideas (21–30)

[Play] Mekkira Mokkira Doon Doon

FY2021 Tomari-no-Mori Nursery School Living Presentation Program 4: “Mekkira Mokkira Doondon” – Bara Class

[Play] Mekkira Mokkira Doon Doon

This is a play based on the picture book “Mekkira Mokkira Don Don.” In the book, the boy protagonist becomes friends with three characters he meets in another world and plays with them.

The production cleverly uses that scene as a “presentation stage” for the kindergarteners.

They showcase kendama, beanbag tossing, cat’s cradle, and more; when they succeed, the audience erupts with cheers of “Oh!” and applause.

The children are happy to be praised, and it’s a delightful idea for parents as well, as they can feel their children’s growth.

Why not incorporate the “play” the children have been practicing and present this performance?

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