Lovely childcare

[Handmade] Easy-to-make, handmade items for preschool entry

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.

Here are some ideas for handmade items to prepare for your children’s start of kindergarten!

Why not choose your child’s favorite fabrics and patterns together and create one-of-a-kind special items?

The warmth of handmade pieces will bring smiles to your child’s face.

Even first-timers will find plenty of easy projects to make!

Enjoy the process, and create wonderful kindergarten items that will become lasting memories.

Creations made with love will make your child’s first day even more special!

[Handmade] Easy-to-make DIY preschool/kindergarten items (21–30)

Basic lesson bag

How to Make a Lesson Bag Jiyugaoka PICO

Basic lesson bag

When your child enters daycare or kindergarten, there are many items to prepare at home.

One of the first essentials for the daily commute may be a “lesson bag” that can hold various things.

Sometimes a specific size is required, and in such cases, store-bought bags may not fit the criteria.

Here, we’ll show you how to make a lesson bag that’s simple and easy to sew.

It’s finished with straight stitches on a sewing machine, so no difficult techniques are needed.

It also has a lining for durability.

Use your child’s favorite fabric to create a one-of-a-kind, original commute-ready lesson bag.

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Drawstring pouch with handle

Prep for kindergarten/elementary school! Drawstring bag with handle (for a change of clothes or gym uniform), lined

Drawstring pouch with handle

At daycare and kindergarten, drawstring bags are essential for holding gym clothes and spare outfits for when things get dirty.

If the bag you use every day has a favorite design, getting ready feels more fun, doesn’t it? Let’s try making one by hand! Adding a lining makes the bag sturdier, so it’s perfect for a gym-clothes bag that won’t break even when stuffed full.

Unlined versions are thinner and easy to use, too.

You can also change the fabric size and add a gusset to make a lunch bag.

Pick out fabrics your child loves and make one together!

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In conclusion

We shared ideas for handmade items to prepare for starting kindergarten.

Even small accessories made from the same fabric as the bags make it easy for children to recognize their own belongings and less likely to mix them up with their friends’, so we recommend it.

Adding embroidered names or a trademark patch is also adorable! Many of these can be made with just straight stitching, so give it a try!