Lovely childcare

Have fun in childcare! A collection of play ideas to liven up cold days in January

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.

When January comes, many teachers may want to incorporate New Year’s games and activities unique to the cold season.

Traditional games and action-based finger plays offer chances to engage with friends while experiencing Japanese culture.

Here, we introduce winter-specific play ideas such as Oshikura Manju, Fukuwarai, and kite flying.

We’ve picked a variety of activities—from ones that require no preparation to those where you can make the materials together with the children.

These are all activities that warm the body and spread smiles even on cold days.

Be sure to try them in your childcare setting!

Have Fun in Childcare! A Collection of Play Ideas to Liven Up Cold January Days (61–70)

Play Song ‘Puru Puru Apple Pie’Katsuriki Wings

"Wobbly Apple Pie" by Katsuriki & Tsubasa Suzuki

Play Song 'Puru Puru Apple Pie' Katsuriki Tsubasa

Purutori Tsubasa’s “Jiggly Apple Pie” is a full-body activity song.

Take one bite of apple pie and your arms start jiggling; take a second bite and your arms and legs jiggle; a third bite and your arms, legs, and tummy…!? One of its charms is the unique lyrics, where more and more body parts start jiggling as the song goes on.

It lets kids play energetically with their whole bodies, so why not use it as a warm-up after winter break or as a body-moving activity on cold days?

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Infant: I love the New Year!Keropons

Happy New Year, I love it so much! — Keropons

Infant: I love the New Year! Keropons

A great recommendation to enjoy with infants: “Akemashite Daisuki!” Created by the hugely popular musical duo Keropons, this song is packed with elements perfect for interacting with children at New Year! The key to this play activity is to look closely into your baby’s eyes.

You can follow the lyrics to give a tight hug, play the “appuppu” staring game, touch foreheads together, and more—perfect for plenty of skin-to-skin contact with zero-year-olds.

Let’s keep cozy all winter by staying close and warm with the kids!

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[Hand Play] The Sleepy BearLyrics/Music: Swedish folk song

Mr. Bear Wakes Up [Hand Play Song] — Recommended for January and February / Piano Accompaniment

[Hand Play] The Sleepy Bear Lyrics/Music: Swedish folk song

Awake from hibernation! Let us introduce the hand game “Mukkuri Kuma-san.” This charming game has children pretend to be a bear in hibernation.

It could be fun to add the children’s own original growls—like “Grr!”—at the end of the song.

It’s also loved as a traditional children’s song, so once they get used to the hand game, try enjoying chase games that incorporate “Mukkuri Kuma-san,” too.

In the cold winter, let’s play by becoming bears together with the children!

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[Hand Play] Let’s Make OsechiLyrics/Music: Mika Kutsuna

Let’s Make Osechi [Fingerplay Song] Perfect for New Year! Preschool/January

[Hand Play] Let's Make Osechi Lyrics/Composition: Mika Kutsuna

Some children may have enjoyed osechi-ryori with their families over the New Year.

This time, we’d like to introduce the hand game “Let’s Make Osechi.” In this game, you play by expressing the ingredients and dishes found in osechi through songs and rhythm.

The movements for items like black soybeans, kamaboko, bamboo shoots, and shrimp are unique and adorable! It could also be fun to turn the meanings behind the osechi ingredients into a quiz.

Be sure to try including this hand game when playing with children!

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[Fingerplay] Snow Child BozuLyrics by: Toshiko Murayama / Composer: Unknown

[Winter Hand Play] ♪ Little Snow Monk (with Lyrics) Nursery Rhyme

[Fingerplay] Snow Child Bozu Lyrics: Toshiko Murayama / Composer: Unknown

Many children have probably seen snow during the cold winter, haven’t they? This time, we’d like to introduce a hand game with the theme of snow called “Yuki no Kobōzu.” The melody is the same as the familiar “Itomaki Maki,” which makes it easy to remember.

The choreography is cute too—wave your hands lightly to express falling snow! It can be a chance to think together with children about what happens when it snows.

Observing snow up close also sounds fun! Be sure to try the hand game “Yuki no Kobōzu.”

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[Play Song] Ticotin, the Winter FairyTsubasa Suzuki, Kazuto Ozawa

Winter Fairy Tikotin <Tickle-and-Bond Play> / Song & Choreography: Tsubasa Suzuki & Kazuto Ozawa

[Play Song] Ticotin, the Winter Fairy by Tsubasa Suzuki and Kazuto Ozawa

Let’s connect through tickles! Introducing the play-along song “Tiko-tin, the Winter Fairy.” The song begins when the sparkling intro cues in.

When you hear the music, pair up and start playing! If you’re enchanted by the Winter Fairy Tiko-tin, it seems your movements will freeze.

While the magic is in effect, this playful tickling song has you tickle your friend—sure to make you burst into laughter.

Switch who plays Tiko-tin in verses 1 and 2 as you play! Before you know it, all that laughter will warm your hearts.

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In conclusion

In January childcare, there are plenty of activities that let children experience Japanese traditions as well as recreations that are especially fun in the cold season.

Through traditional games and finger plays, children can develop concentration and a spirit of cooperation while deepening their bonds with friends and teachers.

In this period when the New Year spirit still lingers, be sure to enjoy seasonal play together with the children.