A childcare quiz to enjoy on Children's Day! 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.

How about incorporating quizzes related to Children’s Day into your childcare activities?We’ve gathered quizzes that naturally help children learn about the event—such as the origins of Tango no Sekku and the meaning of the carp streamers—through play.They’re in multiple-choice format, so children can enjoy thinking for themselves and choosing answers.Because the questions draw on familiar topics—like “What’s at the very top of the carp streamers?” and “Why do we display a samurai helmet?”—they’re sure to be a hit.Please try using them to kick off activities and events at your center.

Nursery quizzes to enjoy on Children’s Day! Learn about traditions and customs (31–40)

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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What is the name of the leaf-wrapped rice cake eaten on Children’s Day?

Sakura mochi
chimaki (a Japanese sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves; in Chinese contexts, often called zongzi)
Daifuku

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chimaki (a Japanese sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves; in Chinese contexts, often called zongzi)

It’s commonly said that chimaki is eaten in the Kansai region, while kashiwa mochi is eaten in the Kanto region. Chimaki originally came from Chinese culture, and it spread to Japan through the Kansai area because that’s where the imperial capital was located at the time.

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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 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 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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