[Early Childhood Education] Ideas for childcare that make use of light

Waterdrop

These water drops with colorful motifs are eye-catching! First, dissolve paint or food coloring in water to make colored water.

The intensity of the color will vary depending on how much you add, so it’s fun to experiment—asking things like, “How much should we add to get a beautiful color?” Next, pour the colored water into a bag, seal it tightly, attach it to fishing line or string, and hang it up to finish.

If you hang them by a window, you can enjoy a range of hues as the light shines through from outside.

Why not gaze at them with children and notice how the appearance changes with the weather and time of day?

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yuri

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[Ages 3 and up] Rainbow Craft

[Kindergarten/Preschool] Nijiiro Craft: How to Make a Stained-Glass-Style Rainbow That Lets Sunlight Shine Through!

Here’s a craft idea inspired by rainbows, featuring the beautiful light reflected through colored cellophane.

Stick small pieces of colored cellophane onto a rainbow-shaped template to enjoy a stained-glass effect.

Handling the colorful cellophane also helps children develop their sense of color.

For a more satisfying result, it’s recommended that adults prepare the rainbow template in advance.

That way, children can simply enjoy exploring colors.

Take the finished piece outside and let it catch the sunlight to appreciate its beauty even more.

Give it a try!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Let’s play with hand shadow puppets

Let's play with hand shadow puppets!

Shadow puppetry has long been a beloved form of play using light.

Hand shadow puppets—creating shapes of objects and creatures with your hands—are fun to watch and fun to imitate, making them perfect for activities in preschools and kindergartens.

Hands seen through the screen look like entirely different creatures.

Imitating the shapes can lead to new discoveries, such as, “So my hands can move like this!” In addition, giving instructions like “Let’s put your thumb together with your middle and ring fingers” can help children learn the names of their fingers.

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yuri

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[Ages 2 and up] Shadow Play

What is this!? Let’s play with shadows — a parent-child activity to feel the wonders of nature

Shadow play is something you can enjoy outdoors even on days with strong sunlight.

Wherever light shines, a shadow always appears.

For adults, it’s an obvious phenomenon, but for children it might still feel mysterious.

Try observing the direction shadows form and how their size and sharpness change when you move closer or farther away.

Children might make some new discoveries! Just be sure to watch out for heatstroke when it’s hot.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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[Ages 3 and up] Make Dragonfly Glasses

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Dragonfly craft ideas you can make and play with! How to make see-through glasses toys

Let’s make a fun craft like in the song “Tonbo no Megane,” where the scenery looks different through special glasses.

First, for preparation, draw guide lines for dragonfly wings on color clear files.

Also, pre-cut the glasses frames from thick paper.

Cut color cellophane into sizes that are easy to attach to the glasses.

Next, have the children freely draw on the wings and cut them out with scissors.

Let them also decorate the chopsticks however they like.

In addition to pens, they can use masking tape and stickers for both the wings and the chopsticks.

Once you’ve attached the color cellophane to the glasses frames, assemble everything into a dragonfly shape—and it’s done!

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tsukada moe

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[Ages 4+] Make a Glowing Light with Kirigami (Paper Cutting)

Simple “Light” Play with Colored Paper — Might Work for the Outdoors Too!?

Let’s make a lovely light you can use for outdoor or evening activities! First, we’ll have some fun making kirigami (paper-cut art) with origami paper.

Adjust the activity based on how comfortable the child is with scissors—draw guiding lines if needed.

After cutting lots of shapes from origami in various colors, place them between laminating sheets and laminate them.

Since laminators get hot, be sure to do this away from children.

Once laminated, roll the sheet into a cylinder and tape or glue the edge.

Shine a light from below, and you’ll have a lamp with beautiful cut-paper patterns glowing through!

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tsukada moe

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sparkling teru-teru-bōzu

Let’s make colorful teru teru bozu and display them by the window.

First, stick colored cellophane onto a clear plastic file.

Prepare several pieces of cellophane cut to appropriate sizes in advance.

Next, create a frame for the teru teru bozu’s body with construction paper and stick it on top.

Then cut along the outline of the body frame.

Finally, attach the teru teru bozu’s face.

If you have the children draw the faces or make them with stickers, each one will have its own personality.

If you make lovely teru teru bozu that let the light shine through, your wish for sunny weather might just come true on the day you want it most.

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tsukada moe

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