Lovely childcare

[May] Have Fun with 3-Year-Olds! Craft Ideas Perfect for May

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.

By May, three-year-olds may be gradually getting used to their new school year.

Since the weather is pleasant, it’s a great time to actively incorporate outdoor activities.

May is also marked by events like Children’s Day and Mother’s Day, so in this article we’ll introduce crafts related to these occasions, as well as craft ideas you can enjoy outdoors.

Find ideas that suit your class’s atmosphere, interests, and curiosities.

Let’s enjoy making things together with the children!

Because the things children create are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text.

[May] Have Fun with 3-Year-Olds! Perfect Craft Ideas for May (31–40)

Handmade coaster

[For Nursery and Kindergarten] Fail-proof!? Easy and Cute Family Day Craft 🌈 “Make Your Own Handmade Coasters!!”

Handmade coaster

A perfect gift for Family Day! Here are some ideas for handmade coasters.

Many childcare centers may set Family Day as a time to express gratitude not only to dads and moms but also to any guardians who spend time with the children.

This time, let’s make handmade coasters that can be used at home! You’ll need permanent markers, rubbing alcohol or 90% ethanol, tiles, a waterproof finishing spray, and decorative materials like glitter.

Work indoors in a well-ventilated area and make sure to keep the space properly ventilated while you create.

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Sticky Felt Balloon

Here’s an idea for making balloons that takes advantage of felt’s soft, fluffy texture.

First, cut light blue construction paper into the shape of a balloon.

Next, cut felt in three colors into triangles and squares.

Finally, use wood glue to attach the felt pieces onto the balloon, and make a handle with yarn to finish.

It’s also cute to decorate them so that animals or characters appear to be holding the balloons.

Adjust tasks like cutting the paper and using scissors based on the children’s ages and interests.

Not just felt—using a variety of materials like ribbons and beads and sticking them onto the balloon is also recommended.

Please use this as a reference!

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Broad beans you make by sticking (pieces) on

Spring Craft: “Broad Beans” Easy How-To Explained by a Preschool Teacher (for 2–3-year-olds) #shorts

Broad beans you make by sticking (pieces) on

Broad beans, which are said to be in season from April to June, are perfect for spring crafts.

This time, we’ll introduce a craft that uses broad beans.

Prepare by pre-cutting the pod and bean shapes from construction paper.

If the children are comfortable using scissors, it’s also great to let them cut the pieces themselves.

Glue the pod and beans onto a base sheet of construction paper, draw faces on the beans, and you’re done.

The steps are very simple, so even young children can enjoy making it.

The vivid green of the broad beans is sure to energize the kids.

Give it a try!

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Wet-on-wet painting: Colorful Koinobori (carp streamers)

May Crafts | Koinobori (Carp Streamers) | Childcare | #shorts #NurseryTeacher

Wet-on-wet painting: Colorful Koinobori (carp streamers)

Let’s try expressing a koi-nobori (carp streamer) with a bleeding/transfer painting technique.

Draw patterns on aluminum foil with water-based markers and mist it with water.

Then place a piece of construction paper cut into a koi-nobori shape on top, and the colors will transfer onto the paper.

Since fine details won’t come through, simple, bold patterns are fine.

Using several colors creates a pretty, marble-like effect.

Attach an eye made from construction paper or a sticker to finish the koi-nobori.

Afterward, there will be colored water left on the aluminum foil, so be careful not to flip it over.

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[Decalcomania] Koinobori (carp streamer)

Craft at Home! “Decalcomania Koinobori”

[Decalcomania] Koinobori (carp streamer)

Here’s an idea for making a koi-shaped windsock using the decalcomania technique! Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and cut it into the shape of a koi windsock.

Open the paper, and with the crease as the center, apply paint only to one half (left or right).

Close the paper, press it firmly, then open it.

Did the paint transfer to the other side? If so, success! Once the paint is dry, add an eye, fold it in half, and tape the back to attach kite string that’s tied to a disposable chopstick.

When you pull the chopstick, the koi windsock will follow along, and you can take it for a little walk.

Please have an adult handle the step of tying the string.

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[May] Have fun with 3-year-olds! Craft ideas perfect for May (41–50)

[Origami] Strawberry

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Spring Origami Craft – April/May / Strawberry: how to hold an origami strawberry

[Origami] Strawberry

Here’s an origami strawberry idea that could also be used as a May wall decoration.

Align the corners of the origami paper and fold it into a triangle.

Open the paper, then fold the two adjacent edges in along the crease.

Fold the pointed part you just made up to meet the base of the top triangle, and fold the bottom two corners in to meet the center line.

Tuck the left and right corners slightly inward, flip the paper over, and fold the top corner down about 2 cm to finish.

The folded-down part will be the leaf, so color it green with a pen!

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[Origami] Carnation Message Card

"Mother’s Day Present Origami" – Easy Carnation Flower Message Card Origami (Kids can make it themselves!) · Origami Message Card Flower

[Origami] Carnation Message Card

If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day craft idea, how about making a carnation message card? Fold a sheet of origami paper into a triangle twice, then flatten the open pocket to form a square.

From there, fold it into a triangle once more.

Using scissors that create a zigzag edge, round off the top while leaving one corner intact.

Lift the top layer of the triangle, fold the second layer to align with the center crease, then fold it back in the opposite direction.

Tilt the third layer to the right and fold it the same way.

Turn the paper over so the folded sections are on the left and right, and fold the top layer downward.

Finally, fold the sections that split along the center line outward—that’s it! Attach a stem, and have an adult write the children’s messages on the back.

Drawing pictures is great, too!

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