Lovely childcare

Childcare: Fun February craft ideas to make with 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.
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.

Many teachers are likely looking for ideas for February crafts to enjoy with one-year-olds.

Seasonal motifs like oni for Setsubun and Valentine’s themes really capture children’s interest at this time of year.

There are plenty of activities that let them fully use their fingers and enjoy the feel of paint and changes in color, such as hand painting, stamping, and marble rolling.

Another appeal is letting them fully enjoy the texture of materials by crumpling tissue paper into balls or tearing paper.

Please use these ideas as a reference and enjoy seasonal creations with the children! Because we emphasize ideas that foster children’s free creativity, we use the term “seisaku” (制作, creation) rather than “seisaku” (製作, craftwork) in the main text.

[Childcare] Crafts to make with 1-year-olds! February craft ideas (41–50)

Valentine’s chocolate wall decoration

Easy winter/February wall decorations: Complete your display using only children’s artwork! Two ideas introduced [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Valentine’s chocolate wall decoration

This is a perfect craft idea for Valentine’s Day that covers the wall with heart-shaped chocolates! Prepare construction paper cut into heart shapes and have the children freely draw patterns with crayons and other materials.

If coloring inside the heart is difficult, they can draw patterns on the paper first and then cut it into heart shapes.

Finally, write the names of the people they love on stickers—based on whom the children tell you—and stick them in the center of the heart chocolates to finish.

Just imagining a display of such unique chocolates lined up is enough to make you feel happy, isn’t it?

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Oni photo props

I’m not good with demon masks, so… 👹 DIY photo props from the 100-yen shop ✨ #shorts #Setsubun #crafts #childcare

Oni photo props

Many of you may be thinking about capturing fun Setsubun memories in photos.

In that case, here’s a suggestion: make oni-themed photo props.

Photo props are small accessories used for photography.

This time, we’ll create mask-like props that let you turn into an oni when you hold them in front of your face.

Imagine using a paper plate as the oni’s face and cutting out only the eye areas.

It would be lovely to prepare several so you can take commemorative photos with friends.

Using a long straw as a handle will make them even more convenient.

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In conclusion

We’ve shared plenty of February craft ideas to enjoy with one-year-olds.

From stamping and torn-paper collages to hand painting, these activities let little ones explore textures while using their fingers.

Try capturing winter memories with seasonal motifs like Setsubun ogres and Valentine’s hearts.

Cherish the kids’ “I want to try!” spirit and have fun creating together.