Childcare: Recommended program ideas for a sports day

marching drill

FY 2022 Marching Drill

At preschools and kindergartens where children regularly play musical instruments, adding a marching drill to the sports day program is highly recommended.

While playing percussion and wind instruments, the children move in various directions—up, down, left, and right—and form different formations.

It can be challenging because they have to do many things at once, but it’s perfect for cheering and energizing the event.

It might be a good idea to recruit volunteers—children who take music lessons, belong to a marching team, or simply want to give it a try.

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SAKI

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Giant ball rolling

Preschool sports day parent–child event: Giant ball rolling (ōdama korogashi) – Japan

Giant ball rolling is a game that really heats up when done as a team competition! When adults join in, the height difference makes ball control more challenging—that’s part of the fun.

Let’s all work together while paying attention to our calls and chants.

Decorating the ball with your preschool’s original designs can add to the enjoyment.

Adults should make adjustments—like crouching slightly—so children can reach and touch the ball.

Which team will be the fastest? It’s the kind of event that makes adults unintentionally get serious.

Because falls and collisions are a concern, make sure the children get plenty of practice on their own beforehand.

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tsukada moe

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athlete entrance

[Sports Day & Daily Childcare • Choreography Supervision: Hiromichi Sato] We’re Pirates! Lively to that famous tune! A versatile marching song “Yo-Ho” usable from 2-year-olds to elementary schoolers • Choreography instruction with counts

Why not channel those pre-event jitters—your excitement just before the sports day and competitions begin—into a performance starting from the entrance march, and enjoy the sports day even more? A lively entrance performance will instantly lift everyone’s spirits, thrilling the parents who’ve come to watch as well.

Simply marching in is fine, but adding a little choreography or movement raises expectations, as if the performance has already begun.

Let’s enjoy the sports day to the fullest with a spirited entrance performance set to music.

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nikki

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[Warm-up Exercise] A-I-U-E-O Calisthenics

Tried dancing the sports day exercise!! (Aiueo Music)

How about incorporating the “AIUEO Exercises” into your warm-up routine? The recommended song is GReeeeN’s “Aiueo Ongaku♬.” It’s a little bonus: you can move your body while also touching on the Japanese syllabary.

There’s an official dance available, but for a warm-up it’s better to add choreography that helps you stretch more thoroughly.

Rotate your neck, swing your arms, reach out with your hands, and jump.

Try designing movements that will help everyone get through the events that follow without injury.

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[Parent-Child Event] Ladybug

[Baby to Toddler] Nursery Sports Day at 1 Year 3 Months ♥ Parent-Child Competition

Ladybug, recommended for parent-child events, has children play the role of ladybugs while their guardians support them.

Guardians can pull a cardboard cutout painted like a leaf for the children to ride on, or carry them and move forward across the squares.

Sometimes they wait ahead to cheer the children on as they overcome obstacles, all aiming for the goal together.

A race where children reach the finish line with support from their guardians might bring out expressions and sides of the children that you don’t usually see at the daycare!

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SAKI

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My First Errand

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Descriptions No. 7 & 8: “My First Errand” and “Shopping as a Pair”

In the “First Errand” event, children run an errand as part of the activity.

Place a variety of foods along the course and have each child pick one they like.

Then they deliver it to the house that’s the same color as the food to reach the goal.

Make the foods and houses using materials like cardboard, newspaper, and construction paper.

Through the event, let parents watch their children successfully complete their errand and feel their growth.

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[Game] Muscatyuzu

Yuzu – Muscat [Original Choreography] Sports Day Dance and Recital Dance for Nurseries and Kindergartens

A great song to showcase an energetic dance at a sports day is Yuzu’s “Muscat.” It was used as the opening theme for the popular children’s anime Crayon Shin-chan, so many kids are likely to know it.

There’s also an official dance called the “Sukatto Dance,” which Crayon Shin-chan himself dances, so that’s a good reference, too.

In addition, many versions with simplified or arranged choreography are available on video sites, so choose one that suits the age of the children who will be dancing.

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SAKI

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