Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended indoor activities and recreation games for April

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.
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.

April marks the start of a new chapter.

Children who are entering or moving up a grade may feel excited about their new environment, or a little anxious—there are many different reactions.

Many teachers are probably wondering, “What should we do?” as they look for ideas that everyone can enjoy and that naturally help children make friends through play.

So this time, we’re introducing recommended games and activities for April.

We’ve focused on games you can start right away indoors, so please give them a try.

You’ll find yourself with more wonderful moments filled with smiles!

[Childcare] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for April (61–70)

Copycat game

Let's try it with the teacher! Copycat Game♪

Copycat game

Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.

While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.

You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.

While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!

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Making Easter eggs

On the April classroom wall! A childcare worker explains how to make Easter eggs (for 2- and 3-year-olds)

Making Easter eggs

Easter seems to have spread rapidly over the past few years.

You can now find all kinds of items at variety stores and 100-yen shops.

With its soft, spring-like vibe, Easter has a cute charm that’s easy for kids to get interested in.

How about making and playing with Easter eggs—the very symbol of Easter—through a simple craft? Sticking masking tape freely onto paper with an egg shape drawn on it is an activity even small children can enjoy.

It also makes a cute wall decoration.

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Catch

Catch @ Yamato Company

Catch

With your right hand, extend only your index finger and keep the other fingers clenched; with your left hand, bring your thumb and other fingers together to form a tube.

Insert your right-hand index finger into the tube formed by the person on your right.

Meanwhile, the person on your left inserts their finger into the tube formed by your left hand, so everyone is linked in a circle.

When the caller says “Catch,” you must pull your right finger out while tightening your left hand to grip and prevent your neighbor’s finger from escaping.

The caller can sometimes fake you out by saying other words that start with the “ka” sound to trick players.

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Card game ‘Old Maid’ (Doubt)

Card game 'Old Maid' (Doubt)

Card game 'Old Maid' (Doubt)

A card game using a standard deck: Doubt (a.k.a.

Cheat/Bullshit).

It’s a card game you can play without worrying much about the number of players.

After shuffling thoroughly and dealing all the cards, players take turns playing cards face down in order from 1 to 13—this is the basic rule.

However, if it’s your turn and you don’t have the required number, you can play other cards instead.

If someone thinks you’re lying, they call “Doubt” to stop the play.

If the cards you played are a different number, the person who was caught must take all the cards on the table.

If the numbers match, the person who called “Doubt” takes them as a penalty.

The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.

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Hula hoop relay

Hula hoop relay

Hula hoop relay

It’s a game where everyone lines up in a single row holding hands, and a hula hoop is passed from one end: each person steps through the hoop and sends it to the next person, repeating this until it reaches the goal.

You must keep holding hands and must not let go to grab the hula hoop.

It can be fun to pass multiple hula hoops instead of just one.

If you don’t have a hula hoop, you can play with a long rope looped like a sash.

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