[Childcare] Fun with kids in July! Quizzes about events and food education

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.

July, when you can feel the start of summer.

Seeing children playing energetically really makes you happy, doesn’t it?

But as it gets hotter, let’s also be mindful of our bodies and how we spend our time.

On days when it’s hard to play outside during childcare, how about trying a quiz with the children indoors?

It’s a great chance to nurture their thinking skills and creativity.

Both kids and adults will have a great time together!

Here, we’ll introduce quizzes related to July.

Teachers, please think them through together with the children and enjoy summer together!

[Childcare] Fun with kids in July! Quizzes on events and food education (11–20)

Which of the following is a holiday during the summer?

Mountain Day
Marine Day
Autumnal Equinox Day

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Mountain Day and Marine Day

The holiday in July is Marine Day, and the holiday in August is Mountain Day. It might make it easier to plan outings during summer vacation. It could also be nice to look into the origins of each holiday.

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What do you decorate the ornaments on during Tanabata?

Cherry tree
bamboo grass
ginkgo

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bamboo grass

It is said that deities come to the bamboo grass, so people began hanging tanzaku with their wishes written on them to make sure their prayers reach the gods. I hope everyone’s wishes come true, too.

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On Tanabata, July 7, who is it said will meet each other?

Orihime and Hikoboshi
Cats and Dogs
The Emperor and Empress (Hina dolls)

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Orihime and Hikoboshi

Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to meet once a year on Tanabata. There are various theories, such as that they cannot meet if it rains, or that the rain is their tears of joy when they reunite.

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Which of the following is a public holiday (a day off) in July?

Children's Day
Marine Day
Mountain Day

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Marine Day

Marine Day, a holiday in July, is also a day to express gratitude to the sea. As it gets hotter, water-based games and leisure activities become popular.

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What do we call the day in July or August when people eat eel?

Cat Day on Wednesday
Midsummer Day of the Ox (Doyo no Ushi no Hi)
Horse Day on Sunday

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Midsummer Day of the Ox (Doyo no Ushi no Hi)

In the old calendar, doyō refers to the 18-day period marking the transition to the next season. Because people are more likely to feel unwell during that time, it became customary to eat eel for health.

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What is the insect that often perches on trees and chirps in the summer?

beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)
stag beetle
cicada

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cicada

Cicadas have various calls depending on the species. Try listening closely to hear how they sound. It’s also fun to look them up in a field guide.

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[Childcare] Fun with kids in July! Quizzes on events and food education (21–30)

On Tanabata strips of paper, we write our wishes. What kind of wishes would be good to write?

Write what you want
Write the place you want to go
Write down what you want to get better at.

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Write down what you want to get better at.

Tanabata originated from the Chinese festival Kikkōden, associated with Orihime, who worked as a weaver. It was a day to pray for improvement in the arts. For this reason, it is considered good on Tanabata to make wishes for things you want to get better at.

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