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 (1–10)

Glove-shaped handprint

[Winter Craft] Great for younger kids too! Easy Handprint Mittens [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Glove-shaped handprint

Here’s a fun handprint mitten craft that teachers and one-year-olds can enjoy together.

This cute handprint activity will warm hearts even in the cold of winter! First, the teacher traces the children’s hands on construction paper and cuts them out.

The children then glue small pieces of tissue paper onto the background sheet under the handprint.

They can freely choose the colors of tissue paper, which is the best part—it lets each child express their individuality.

Finally, the teacher attaches the cut-out handprint layer to the decorated base to finish.

It’s perfect as a gift for parents or as a room decoration! Make it a special memory for Setsubun or Valentine’s Day by bringing out your child’s creativity and creating a lovely page in your shared memory book.

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Chocolate sticks made with construction paper

[Easy February Craft] Paper Heart Chocolates ❤️🍫 #PreschoolCrafts #PreschoolTeacher #TeachingIdeas #TeacherInTraining #TeacherLife #WithKids #ConstructionPaper #ValentinesDay #ValentineCrafts

Chocolate sticks made with construction paper

Here’s a chocolate stick craft made with construction paper that we’d like to make in February.

It’s easy to put together and even one-year-olds can enjoy making it.

Use brown construction paper to resemble chocolate, and cut out shapes kids love, like hearts and stars.

Let the children draw freely on the pieces, then attach a stick to what they’ve made.

Since chopsticks and similar items can be dangerous for children to hold, please use safe, soft materials like a paper-rolled stick or a straw instead.

Finally, put it in a bag and wrap it up, and it’s done!

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A cozy kotatsu made with stamps

For your February wall display! Stamp, stamp! A cozy kotatsu 🍊⛄ #preschoolcrafts #nurserytEacher #teachingideas #traineenurseryteacher #teacherlife #withkids #spongestamps #easycraft #walldecor

A cozy kotatsu made with stamps

Here’s an introduction to a cozy, heartwarming kotatsu-themed wall display.

First, have the teachers prepare the kotatsu base using construction paper.

Let the children freely stamp patterns on the kotatsu blanket using sponge daubers.

Once it’s dry, glue the blanket and tabletop onto the backing paper.

In the video, an illustration of a cat curled up and sleeping under the kotatsu is used, but using photos of the children would be adorable, too.

If the kids also draw freely on the backing paper, it will look even more festive.

A unique and cute kotatsu display is complete!

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[Childcare] Crafts to make with 1-year-olds! February craft ideas (11–20)

Colorful Oni made with hand painting

[Setsubun] Making an Oni with hand painting #Setsubun #February

Colorful Oni made with hand painting

Enjoy dynamic hand painting! Here’s a recommended ogre (oni) craft for 1-year-olds.

You’ll need construction paper, paint, a paper plate, and face parts.

First, dilute the paint so that it won’t drip when you tilt the paper plate slightly.

Be careful not to make it too watery.

After dipping hands into the paint on the paper plate, let the children paint dynamically on the construction paper however they like! It’s fun to see all the different shapes that appear.

Some children may also enjoy watching the paint colors blend together.

Once the paint dries, stick on the face parts.

Having a variety of parts ready brings out each child’s personality and makes it even more fun, so it’s highly recommended.

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Oni made with tissue paper

How about making a fluffy, cute ogre using tissue paper? First, glue some washi-patterned origami onto construction paper to create a backing.

Then attach holly leaves and sardine decorations made from construction paper.

Preparing the ogre’s pants and facial parts in advance will make things go smoothly.

Next, have the children crumple tissue paper into balls and stuff them into a plastic bag.

Shape it into a round ogre face and secure it with tape.

Attach the facial features and pants.

Finally, stick the ogre’s face onto the backing with double-sided tape to finish.

It also looks adorable if you make just the ogre and hang it from the ceiling or display it on a shelf.

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Fluffy Valentine Wreath

@hoiku.labo
[Valentine’s Craft] A Fluffy, Cute Heart Wreath 💕#Childcare Crafting Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #Drawers of Childcare #NurseryTeacherInTraining #NurseryTeacherThings With children tissue paper flowers Valentine's Day Heart Easy to make paper plate
♪ Original Song – Craft Ideas for Childcare ♪ Hoiku Kyujin Labo – Hoiku Kyujin Labo | Nursery Teacher Job Changes and Helpful Information

Perfect for Valentine’s Day! Here’s how to make a heart-shaped wreath.

First, fold a paper plate in half and cut it so that it becomes a heart when opened.

Cut out the inside as well to make a heart-shaped opening.

Next, tear tissue paper lengthwise in your favorite colors.

If you’re doing this activity with children, pre-cut the tissue paper into convenient sizes to make things smoother.

After spreading glue over the entire frame, crumple the tissue paper into little balls and stick them onto the frame.

Cover it well so the frame doesn’t show.

Finish by adding a ribbon.

It’s also a great idea to place a photo of the children in the center of the heart and give it to their guardians as a gift.

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day full of excitement!

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Ogre Pants Made with Stamps

Here’s a fun stamp craft featuring an oni (Japanese ogre) that’s perfect for 1-year-olds.

You’ll need construction paper, round stickers, glue, paint, and a toilet paper roll.

First, draw the shape of the oni on construction paper and cut it out.

Glue the cut pieces onto a sheet of construction paper that will serve as the background.

Dip the end of the toilet paper roll in paint and stamp patterns onto the oni’s pants.

Glue on the facial features, then decorate any empty spaces with stickers, and you’re done!

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