Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended for Tanabata party! Fun and exciting performance/activity ideas

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

In the lead-up to Tanabata on July 7, nursery schools and kindergartens decorate bamboo branches and hold Tanabata gatherings together.

For those wondering, “What kind of performance should we do for this year’s Tanabata event?”, here are a variety of ideas! From songs and picture books to paper puppet shows, black theater, and even a planetarium, there are many special activities that children will enjoy.

Use these suggestions for your program, and have a wonderful Tanabata that both children and adults can enjoy.

[Childcare] Recommended for Tanabata events! Fun and exciting performance/activity ideas (21–30)

Crossing the Milky Way

"We crossed the sparkling Milky Way!" Shimizu Mirai Nursery School

Crossing the Milky Way

Tanabata is the festival when it’s said that Orihime and Hikoboshi can cross the Milky Way and meet just once a year.

But even when we say “Milky Way,” it may be hard for children to picture it.

So how about having everyone cross a sparkling Milky Way made of many stars together at your Tanabata gathering? In the video, twinkle lights are used to represent the Milky Way, but making it with mirror tape or raffia (suzuran) tape is also recommended.

If each child crosses the bridge laid over the shimmering Milky Way with the wish, “May my hopes come true,” it’s sure to become a memorable and precious experience.

Let’s fully enjoy the Tanabata atmosphere by putting ourselves in the shoes of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

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Blacklight Show

April Birthday Party - Staff Performance Part 1

Blacklight Show

If you’re thinking about something a little different from your usual act, how about putting on a show using blacklights? Some children might feel a bit scared of the dark at first, but once the show starts, they’ll be captivated by the vivid, dreamlike world—no doubt about it! Create animals and other figures that glow colorfully in the dark to amaze the kids.

Bringing out characters they love will surely get them excited, too.

You can even reveal just a part and ask, “What do you think will appear next?” to make it fun like a quiz.

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Tanabata Concert

Natsumidai Kindergarten and Nursery School Video News, July 2022 Issue Part 2: “Tanabata Concert”

Tanabata Concert

If you’re thinking of doing something for Tanabata on July 7, how about hosting a Tanabata concert? There are many pieces related to Tanabata, stars, and the night sky—try performing songs like “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Tanabata-sama,” and “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” It’s also a great idea to vary the format by piece, such as ensemble or chorus.

Handbell performances pair beautifully and magically with star-themed songs, too.

If you opt for an ensemble, it can be fun to introduce the names and characteristics of each instrument by part after the performance.

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Song ‘Tanabata-sama’

Tanabata-sama (with gestures) [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Song 'Tanabata-sama'

The Tanabata song “Tanabata-sama” is an essential tune for any Tanabata gathering.

Sung with a gentle, relaxed feel, it paints a scene of looking at bamboo branches decorated with wish-written strips of paper while gazing at the Milky Way and stars shining in the night sky.

If you sing it at the start of the event, it instantly wraps everyone in the Tanabata mood.

Depending on the age group, it can be a performance where not only the teacher but also the children sing together.

It’s also recommended to add simple hand motions that match the lyrics.

Sing softly and joyfully so that the day of Tanabata becomes a wonderful one.

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True/False Quiz

OK from age 2! Tanabata True-or-False Quiz: A Question Set for Nursery and Kindergarten Children

True/False Quiz

Let’s help children learn more about Tanabata with a true-or-false quiz! For example, ask questions like: Is Tanabata on July 7th? Are Tanabata wish strips only in seven colors? Are Orihime and Hikoboshi siblings? Try quizzing them about both the Tanabata story and the festival itself.

When quizzing about the story, it can be nice to tell the tale first using a picture book or a panel theater.

On the other hand, you could skip the story at first and introduce it afterward as part of the answer reveal.

Encourage the children to have fun and take on the quiz!

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In conclusion

We introduced recommended activities for a Tanabata party.

There were plenty of activities that let children learn more about Tanabata while having fun.

Please consider the number of children, their ages, and the size of the room to find and incorporate the perfect activities.

Preparing may be a lot of work, but let’s do our best while imagining the children’s adorable reactions.

We hope it becomes a wonderful gathering where everyone can enjoy the unique atmosphere of Tanabata!