[Childcare] A quiz about Children’s Day in childcare! Learn about traditions and customs

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Children’s Day is celebrated every year on May 5! This day carries the wish for children’s healthy growth.

Here, we’ve gathered quizzes you can enjoy during childcare on Children’s Day! In fact, there are many little-known customs and meanings behind Tango no Sekku and Children’s Day.

There might even be quizzes that adults don’t know.

For children, Children’s Day is a wonderful day when they can enjoy special sweets and dishes.

Be sure to spend a fun time together with the kids while enjoying the quizzes, and celebrate their growth.

[Childcare] A quiz about Children's Day in childcare! Learn about traditions and customs (21–30)

What form do the May dolls displayed on Children’s Day take?

Kabuto (Samurai helmet)
princess
ninja

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Kabuto (Samurai helmet)

There are various products, such as ones that display helmets and armor as they are, and ones that have dolls inside. If you fold a helmet out of newspaper, you can wear it, which makes for a fun activity.

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What do you put in the bath on Children’s Day?

cherry blossoms
mandarin orange
iris

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iris

On Children’s Day, we take a bath called shobu-yu with iris leaves. This is because irises are believed to ward off evil forces. The long, sturdy leaves are sold at florists and supermarkets.

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[Childcare] Quiz about Children’s Day in childcare! Learn about traditions and customs (31–40)

What is the name of the sweets eaten on Children’s Day?

ohagi (sweet rice balls coated with red bean paste)
sakura mochi
kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cake)

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kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cake)

The oak leaves wrapped around kashiwa mochi are considered auspicious and fortunate because they do not fall until new leaves grow. Why not touch and observe the sturdy, thick oak leaves?

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What do you call the fish-shaped decorations displayed on Children’s Day?

Salmon decoration
koinobori (carp streamers)
Sea bream rice

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koinobori (carp streamers)

It’s a large and impressive decoration, as sung about in the children’s song “Koinobori.” The sight of black, red, and blue carp streamers swimming in the sky is free-spirited and striking.

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What month and date is Children’s Day?

January 1
March 3
May 5

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May 5

May 5 is Tango no Sekku and Children’s Day. In fact, these two were originally different observances. Since it’s a national holiday, it’s easy to go out for leisure activities, and children probably look forward to it.

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What does it mean to display carp streamers?

May you grow up healthy and strong.
I hope I get better at swimming.
It has no meaning.

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May you grow up healthy and strong.

In China, where the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku) originated, there remains a tale of a carp that climbed a waterfall and then became a dragon. It expresses the hope that one can overcome hardships.

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