Lovely childcare

[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play

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.
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 May, when temperatures begin to rise little by little from the warmth of spring, the fresh greenery is beautiful and it’s a season when you can spend lots of time in nature.

However, as the latter half of the month approaches the rainy season, there are more days with unstable weather, and you’ll likely spend more time indoors.

So this time, we’ll introduce activities that suit May’s climate and can be enjoyed both outdoors and indoors.

We’ve gathered a variety of May-recommended activities—from games that let kids move their bodies to their hearts’ content, to ways to savor nature, pretend play, traditional children’s songs, and even activities perfect for Children’s Day.

As children gradually get used to their new routines around this time of year, we hope you can deepen their connections with people and nature while sharing fun moments together!

[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play (1–10)

Nursery School Exploration!

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Nursery Exploration!! April–May Birthday Party Event

Nursery School Exploration!

What kind of teachers are in which rooms? Here are some ideas for a preschool exploration! It’s sure to excite not only new and transferring children, but also those already familiar with the preschool.

With hearts pounding—“What is this room for?” “Is it okay to go in?”—let’s explore the preschool together with friends and teachers.

It can also be a chance to learn rules, such as the dos and don’ts in rooms with tiny babies or in rooms with a kitchen.

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Rag-wiping race

Wiping cloth duty 2/12 (2)

Rag-wiping race

The Osaka Towel Wholesale Trade Association has designated April 29 as Towel Day.

It’s said that the period from early spring to early summer is when towels are used the most.

Towels are familiar to children too, often used as rags for cleaning floors or wiping tables, but washing them with water and then wringing them out by hand takes quite a bit of strength, doesn’t it? When wringing a towel, the vertical wring technique is recommended.

With vertical wringing, you keep your elbows close to your sides and rotate your wrists, allowing you to use your arm strength and wring more firmly.

Wringing towels also helps build grip strength, so try practicing it with your children!

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Children’s Day Event

Enjoy Children’s Day with fun all day long! Here are some ideas for Children’s Day events.

What comes to mind when you think of Children’s Day? Things related to the celebration, like koi-nobori (carp streamers), kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cakes), cool kabuto (samurai helmets), and chimaki (bamboo leaf-wrapped dumplings)! Let’s incorporate these into activities while having fun throughout the day.

For example, you could use paper-theater (peep shows) or panel theaters to explain the origins of displaying koi-nobori, and serve kashiwa mochi as a snack.

It could also be fun to make kabuto out of newspaper or play games using the kabuto! Give these ideas a try.

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[Childcare] May Activities: Spring Outdoor & Indoor Play (11–20)

Koinobori Tag

Childcare magazine Monthly Hiroba May issue - Physical Activity Play series 'GO! GO! 5 Guts!'

Koinobori Tag

This is a game of tag themed around koinobori (carp streamers), which are displayed in gardens and elsewhere when May arrives.

It’s best tried in a large space like a kindergarten or nursery school yard or a sports field.

First, draw lines on the ground to create a pattern that suggests the silhouette of a koinobori.

Place the “oni” (tagger) and the runners on the lines, and have them play tag along the lines.

If you’re tagged by the oni, crouch down inside the koinobori drawing and become a “scale.” The rule is that if another child touches a scale, that player comes back to life.

If the runners make it to the end without being caught, the children win.

It’s a game that fosters communication as the kids help each other.

Give this tag game a try to experience the feeling of May while enjoying the warm spring weather.

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Hoop Play: “Koinobori” (Carp Streamers)

Hoop Play Koinobori

Hoop Play: “Koinobori” (Carp Streamers)

With the arrival of the Boys’ Festival, koi nobori (carp streamers) are a popular decoration for celebrating Children’s Day.

As May begins, you’ll see them more often outdoors.

Why not try a seasonal play activity themed around koi nobori? Stack several hula hoops together, and have the children hold on with both hands.

The key is for them to lie on their stomachs to mimic the gently swaying carp streamers.

When the teacher pulls them backward, they can enjoy the sensation of their bodies starting to move.

Give this indoor activity a try to feel the coming of spring.

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Cat and Mouse

[You can see the childcare in action] Teacher Rio’s active play [Cat and Mouse]

Cat and Mouse

Which team will win? Here’s an idea called Cats and Mice.

All you need to prepare is a base area for each team.

It’s best to make full use of the room so the children can move around freely and comfortably.

Split into a Cat team and a Mouse team, and play a game where you try to get back to your base without being caught by the other team.

The tension of concentrating so you don’t mishear whether it’s “cat” or “mouse,” and the thrill of running away, make this a fun activity that will have kids laughing out loud! Give it a try!

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Tissue Paper Flower Crafts

@hoikushisatomi
[Montessori-Style] Tissue Paper Play Roundup!!Kids will love it Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Life with children #OuchiMonte Translation #EducationalPlay Educational
Oria – niKu

Play expands with a little creativity! Here are some fun ideas for playing with tissue paper.

All you need is tissue paper in your favorite colors.

Tissue paper is light, soft, and wonderfully colorful.

While it’s often used for crafts at preschools or at home, this time let’s use it for activities.

You can throw it, tear it, crumple it, and play dynamically, or put it in a container, add water, and make a sensory bottle for a calm, soothing time.

It could also be fun to decide on the activities together with the children.

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