[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 (21–30)

What is the food, resembling the Milky Way, that is eaten on Tanabata (July 7)?

soba
somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
spaghetti

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somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

The idea that somen noodles represent the Milky Way is easy for children to understand, but it seems the real origin is the Chinese dish called sakubei. It’s interesting how there are various reasons behind it.

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What is shaved ice finely made from?

big ice
snow
soil

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big ice

Shaved ice is enjoyed in many countries. Large blocks of ice are shaved into a fluffy texture using a shaved-ice machine. Shaved ice made with natural ice has even become a trend, making it a treat loved by adults as well.

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Which of the following is the summer insect with impressive horns?

praying mantis
stag beetle
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)

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beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)

A lot of kids probably admire big, impressive horns, don’t they? It’s also a good idea to look up the differences between males and females in a field guide.

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What do we hang the tanzaku, on which we write our wishes for Tanabata, on?

bamboo grass
tree
utility pole

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bamboo grass

Because bamboo and sasa (a type of bamboo grass) grow quickly, they have long been considered symbols of vitality. By the way, it’s said that the five colors of tanzaku (wish strips) each suit different kinds of wishes. Adults might find it worthwhile to be mindful of this.

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Which of the following insects chirps loudly in the summer?

butterfly
cicada
bell cricket

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cicada

There are many different kinds of cicadas, such as the min-min cicada and the abura cicada. If you look into the differences in their calls, you’ll likely find them more interesting when you listen.

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