Lovely childcare

[April Crafts] Useful for childcare! Spring craft ideas for 1-year-olds

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

Warm spring is a fun season for children, too! Here, we’re sharing craft ideas you can enjoy together with one-year-olds.

Tearing and sticking to make colorful flowers helps develop fine motor skills! For parts that are hard for one-year-olds, have an adult join in and get creative.

If you decorate with lots of colors, you’re sure to see big smiles from the kids! While exploring colors and shapes, they can really feel the spring season.

Let’s all make things together and create lots of wonderful pieces! Get excited and make new spring memories.

[April Crafts] Useful for Childcare! Spring Craft Ideas for 1-Year-Olds (11–20)

Cherry blossom tree made with plastic bags

https://www.tiktok.com/@lion.sensei_hoiku/video/7348581263697087752

Blow into it and make it! Let me show you how to create a cherry blossom tree using a plastic bag.

You’ll need construction paper, a plastic bag, paint, a cherry tree shape made from construction paper, and glue or double-sided tape.

First, tie the bottom of the plastic bag tightly, turn it inside out, then blow into it and tie it off.

Dab paint onto the plastic bag, which will be puffed up like a balloon, and stamp it onto the paper to make big cherry blossom petals! Attach the cherry tree cutout made from construction paper, and you’re done!

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Let’s decorate with springtime natural items!

@hoikushisatomi
Capture spring: Try preserving flowers and plants as a piece while they’re still beautiful! Note: They’ll last on display for about 2–3 weeks. If you want them to last longer, press the flowers first and then create your piece!work #LifeWithKids #NurseryTeacherDailyLife Cute #crafts #diy Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Translation
3:03 PM – Sharou

Let’s decorate with springtime treasures! Here’s a perfect spring craft you can make by collecting fallen flowers and wild grasses on a walk.

First, place a sheet of cooking paper (parchment paper) down and put a frame-shaped piece of construction paper on top.

Apply OPP tape (clear packaging tape) over the opening.

Peel the tape, flip it sticky-side up, and arrange the flowers you picked.

Seal it with another layer of OPP tape and trim off the excess—done! It will keep for about two to three weeks, so if you want it to last longer, it’s best to press the flowers first and then make it.

Decorating the paper frame is super cute, too, so give it a try!

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Colorful Flower

Here’s a flower craft idea that lets you enjoy using colorful paints.

For preparation, make footprint stamps of the child’s feet on green construction paper—these will be the leaves, so be sure to make both feet.

Next, cut the top part of another piece of construction paper into a flower shape, draw a stem below it, and attach the footprint leaves.

On a separate white sheet of construction paper, have the children drop a few colors of paints they choose and freely spread them using a sponge that has been dampened and well wrung out.

Finally, layer and glue the flower cutout onto the painted paper, and it’s complete!

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Ladybug with sticker application

Let’s use round stickers to create a ladybug’s spots! First, as preparation, cut a large leaf out of green construction paper and glue it onto white construction paper to make a backing sheet.

Next, cut the ladybug parts from red and black construction paper and glue them together in advance.

Have the children use the round stickers to decorate the ladybug’s wings with patterns.

Once the stickers are in place, they can glue the ladybug anywhere they like on the backing sheet to finish.

Ladybug patterns are typically red and black, but it might be lovely to make them intentionally colorful, too.

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Spring cabbage for sensory play

Let me share a very cute craft idea of a little caterpillar munching on delicious spring cabbage.

You can enjoy it as a sensory activity, too! First, cut out the cabbage, the core, and the caterpillar parts from construction paper.

Next, place small amounts of paints in different shades of green, plus some yellow and white, spaced out on top of the cabbage.

Put it into a freezer bag and seal it, then squish the paint from above with your hands or fingers.

Once you’re done squishing, cut the bag open from the top with scissors, and attach the core and caterpillar pieces to finish.

Try making a tasty spring cabbage that your little caterpillar will love!

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Sensory Bottle Made with Cherry Blossom Petals

Spring “sensory play”: a cherry blossom sensory bottle #cherryblossom #babytoys #sensoryplay #hanami #shorts #sensoryplay #educational #kids

Sensory Bottle Made with Cherry Blossom Petals

When you think of spring, many of you probably picture cherry blossoms.

Cherry trees in full bloom are dazzling, yet their petals fall quickly, giving them a fleeting, delicate charm.

This time, we’ll show you how to make a sensory bottle that lets you enjoy the beauty of sakura for a long period.

It’s very easy to make: simply put liquid laundry starch and cherry blossoms into an empty bottle, then secure the lid with glue—and you’re done.

Adding cotton balls or beads is also recommended.

Take your time to relax and be soothed as you watch the cherry blossoms gently drift and sway.

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[April Crafts] Useful for childcare! Spring craft ideas for 1-year-olds (21–30)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar made with sticker pasting

If you're unsure what to make for spring, try this! Create and display The Very Hungry Caterpillar ♪ 🍀 #preschoolcrafts #nurseryteacher #teachingideas #traineeTeacher #teacherLife #withKids #TheVeryHungryCaterpillar #easyCraft

The Very Hungry Caterpillar made with sticker pasting

Here’s a craft activity inspired by the beloved children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Prepare construction paper, round stickers, crayons, and glue.

Cut circles of the same size from construction paper: three green, two yellow-green, and one red.

Glue them onto a base sheet in the shape of a caterpillar.

The red circle will be the face, so place it at the front.

Stick round stickers on the caterpillar’s body to create patterns.

Peeling and placing stickers is a great fine-motor activity for children.

Finish by drawing eyes and a mouth with crayons.

It’s recommended to prepare stickers in different sizes.

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