Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended for April activities! A collection of helpful ideas for events and festivities

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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.

April marks the start of the new school year!

Preschools and kindergartens are full of exciting events.

There are opportunities to meet new friends, as well as entrance ceremonies and nature walks to help children get used to school life.

It’s cherry blossom season, so going on a “hanami” walk to observe spring nature is also lots of fun.

As Golden Week approaches, try incorporating carp streamers and spring crafts to spark the children’s creativity.

Enjoy those moments when the children’s hearts come together through fun activities!

[Childcare] Recommended for April activities! A collection of helpful ideas for events and festivities (21–30)

A Little Stroll

Let’s enjoy a special little walk! Here are some ideas for short strolls.

Don’t many preschools usually make use of parks, plazas, and their own playgrounds for outdoor activities? This time, let’s try taking a brief walk to nearby preschools or public facilities! Interactions among the children, as well as with the people at these facilities, are valuable opportunities to nurture their social skills.

Even as their hearts race with excitement, seeing them reach out their hands and call out to one another really lets us feel their growth.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Sunnyside Camp

An event filled with smiles from guardians and children! Here are ideas for the Sunny Side Camp.

Joining the kids are their guardians—moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas.

Enjoy making original lanterns, crafting handmade calendars, and creating hanging photo displays! When you get hungry, it’s great to sit in a circle and share some curry.

Once you’ve recharged, move your body and make memories through lots of fun activities.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Eurhythmics play

[May Rhythmic Class: Let’s Play with Our Bodies!] For ages 3–5. Get moving with hoop play! Perfect for kids with extra energy ✨ Great for relieving children’s stress ✨ Music play, rhythm play—also usable in childcare settings.

Eurhythmics play

Let’s have fun moving our bodies with hula hoops! Here are some ideas for Eurhythmics (music and movement) activities.

Since children can showcase their daily activities at sports days or performance showcases, both parents and kids will be delighted! How about organizing a Eurhythmics recital using the familiar activities you practice regularly? By moving joyfully with hula hoops, children can not only develop a sense of rhythm but also improve their concentration and stamina.

Learning through play can help nurture a positive attitude toward music and physical activity!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Spring Birdwatching

Spring wild birds gather! An explanatory video even beginners can understand

Spring Birdwatching

As spring arrives, you’ll start spotting more birds while out on walks.

When you hear birdsong, many children can’t help but wonder, “What kind of bird is that?” With the temperatures rising, why not head out on a nice day to look for wild birds? While places rich in nature are ideal, you’d be surprised how many birds gather even in city parks.

In spring, migratory birds come to Japan to lay eggs and raise their young.

If you come across birds building nests, consider yourself lucky.

Let’s help children discover that, beyond the familiar birds they usually see, there are many different kinds out there.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Koinobori craft

[By Age] 5 Types of Koinobori Crafts 🎏 Fun for Infants to Preschoolers! [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

Koinobori craft

Let’s make handmade koinobori (carp streamers) for Children’s Day on May 5! For children who can’t yet hold pens or crayons well, we recommend dipping their fingers in paint to make stamped patterns, or painting their palms to create handprints.

As they become more dexterous, try activities like torn-paper collages, wet-on-wet bleeding art, or origami.

Attach the koinobori you’ve made to a disposable chopstick, and you’ll have a mini koinobori you can wave like a flag and make it ‘swim’!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Health checkup

At daycare, something like a routine internal medicine checkup doesn’t scare them anymore.

Health checkup

Health checkups—where someone peers into their mouths or presses a stethoscope to their chests—can seem like a mysterious ritual to children.

Even if you tell them, “The doctor is checking to make sure everyone’s body is healthy,” they may not quite understand at first.

However, as they move into the older preschool years and go through the process a few times, they gradually get used to it.

Offer reassuring words like, “You did a great job staying calm,” or “You chatted with the doctor with a big smile this year, so you’ll be able to play full of energy all year long,” to help ease their fears.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Mother’s Day craft

[Mother's Day] Singing & Making Gifts!! Mommy ♪ Elephant ♪ 'Straw Necklace' 'Paper Cup Flowers' (Nursery/Preschool, Childcare Worker, Crafts, Children's Songs, Japanese Children’s Song)

Mother’s Day craft

The second Sunday of May is Mother’s Day, a time to express our gratitude to moms.

“Thank you for always cooking delicious meals,” “Thank you for taking me to so many fun places”—let’s prepare a surprise gift to share these heartfelt feelings from the children! You could sing songs that include the word “mother,” or make necklaces and flowers out of origami paper or straws—choose the perfect present while watching how the children are doing.

Some parents who receive these gifts may be so moved that they’re brought to tears.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem