Lovely childcare

[For 1-year-olds] Let’s Learn About May! A Collection of Recommended Craft Ideas

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
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.

At around one year old, children’s range of movement and interests expand dramatically as they stand, walk, and reach out with their hands.

You’ll want to provide creative activities that stimulate them during craft time, too.

May includes Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Let’s enjoy crafts related to these events with one-year-olds.

Here is a roundup of May craft ideas designed for one-year-olds that they can do without strain.

Because we treat what children make as works of art, the term is written as “seisaku (制作)” in the text.

Please use this as a reference.

[For 1-year-olds] Let’s learn about May! Recommended craft ideas (11–20)

Takenoko-chan

Here’s an introduction to making a fun art project with Bamboo Shoot-chan using paints.

Prepare a paper plate, crayons, paint, brushes, scissors, and glue.

First, enjoy scribbling on the paper plate with crayons.

Next, paint over it to enjoy a resist painting effect.

It’s recommended to dilute the paint a little.

Since some children may be using paint for the first time, proceed while keeping a close eye on them to prevent accidental ingestion and ensure safety.

Cut the paper plate into quarters, then glue the pieces together in a three-dimensional way to form a bamboo shoot shape.

Finally, add the face, and it’s complete.

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Skeleton flower

Introducing how to make a skeleton flower with a charming glossy shine.

Prepare transparent origami paper, a flower template, round stickers, glue, scissors, crayons, and clear tape.

Use the flower template to trace the shape onto the backing paper and cut it out.

Apply clear tape to the back of the construction paper so you can attach transparent origami paper to the flower area.

Have the children stick the cut transparent origami pieces from the front.

Mixing different transparent origami colors when sticking them makes the colors blend and look adorable.

Draw the stem with a crayon, and it’s complete.

Give it a try!

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Goldfish made with balloon stamps

We’ll introduce a colorful, pop, and cute goldfish craft made with balloon stamps.

Prepare paint, brushes, water balloons, construction paper, glue, and scissors.

After cutting the construction paper into the shape of a large jar and goldfish, dip an inflated water balloon in paint and stamp it onto the jar-shaped paper.

Switching colors as you stamp makes it even more fun.

Stick adhesive eyes on the goldfish, place them wherever you like, and you’re done.

Give it a try!

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Balloons made of felt

This is a project for making balloons with the fun texture of felt.

Felt fabric has a different feel from paper, and I think children will like its touch.

It’s often used for handmade toys, so it might be a familiar material.

Simply cut the felt into various shapes and stick them onto a balloon template to finish.

You can use wood glue when attaching the pieces, but double-sided tape also works.

Many 100-yen shops sell adhesive felt sheets, so using those can make the process even smoother.

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Wobbly Paper Plate Koinobori

[Koinobori Craft] Easy even for infants! How to make it using paper plates

Wobbly Paper Plate Koinobori

Here’s a cute wobbling carp streamer craft.

Prepare a round paper plate and cut off about one-third of it.

On the larger remaining piece, let the children freely stick round stickers.

If you cut the round stickers in half, they can represent scales, but if sticking them is difficult, keeping them round is still very cute.

Once decorated, fold the plate in half and add eyes on both sides.

That’s it! Place it on a flat surface and gently press it with your finger—the carp streamer will wobble and it’s lots of fun.

It’s a carp streamer you can both make and play with—give it a try!

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[Handprint/Footprint] Mother’s Day Bouquet

[Handprints] From around age 1! A must-see Mother's Day craft for childcare workers #nursery #crafts #MothersDayGift #childcareIdeas #craft #diy

[Handprint/Footprint] Mother's Day Bouquet

The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day.

Here, we’re sharing a perfect Mother’s Day idea: a bouquet made with your child’s handprints.

Have your child make handprints on white construction paper, cut around them to create the flower shapes, and attach stems made from green construction paper.

Cut another piece of paper into a fan shape, glue the flowers on, fold the sides inward to wrap the bouquet, and decorate with a ribbon.

Add a message that says “Thank you,” and it’s complete.

Even if it’s not for Mom, try gifting this cute bouquet to anyone you want to show appreciation to.

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[For 1-year-olds] Let’s Learn About May! Recommended Craft Ideas (21–30)

snow pea

[Childcare Craft] May Wall Decoration Craft ♪ Easy Snow Pea! | May Sayaendo

snow pea

Snow peas reach their harvest season around May.

Here, we’ll share a craft idea for making snow peas using construction paper and flower tissue.

First, cut the construction paper to make the pods and the calyx (stem end).

Make the pods so they can be folded in half.

Have the children roll up green flower tissue to create the peas.

Once the peas are ready, stick them to the inside of the pod with the calyx attached, and then paste the pod onto a backing sheet.

Finally, have the children draw in the empty spaces on the backing sheet to finish!

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