Enjoy November events! Introducing ideas you’ll want to incorporate into childcare.
When it comes to November events, we think of Labor Thanksgiving Day and Shichi-Go-San.
Some preschools might also go sweet potato digging.
Of course, enjoying the events themselves is important, but if children can play and explore the themes of these events in a fun, hands-on way, they’ll feel more familiar and connected to them.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs, finger plays, and craft ideas related to November’s events.
By incorporating them into childcare activities, you can enjoy the events with children in a variety of ways.
We hope you find some favorite ideas to try!
Enjoy November events! Ideas to incorporate into childcare (1–10)
Shichi-Go-San True or False Quiz
Shichi-Go-San marks an important milestone in children’s lives.
Teaching about this celebration in a quiz format while having fun can be a wonderful approach that stimulates children’s imagination and deepens their understanding of the occasion.
For example, asking questions like “In which season is Shichi-Go-San held?” or “At what ages are children celebrated in Shichi-Go-San?” will help them learn more about it.
A question such as “What candy is eaten during Shichi-Go-San?” can also prompt them to think about the connection between food and culture.
Cherish the time spent learning while playing together with the children.
[Shichi-Go-San] Shichi-Go-San Samba
![[Shichi-Go-San] Shichi-Go-San Samba](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/THpLpVi6mfU/sddefault.jpg)
When November comes, you sometimes see children dressed in formal attire, don’t you? Many people probably smile and think, “They’re visiting a shrine for Shichi-Go-San.” As a November activity, why not try singing this “Shichi-Go-San Samba”? The song describes three-, five-, and seven-year-old children, so kids can relate it to themselves.
It also includes congratulatory words, which will surely make them feel happy.
You might even try interviewing children who have already gone to the shrine and ask, “How was it?”
[Labor Thanksgiving Day] Fingerplay “Busy Work”
![[Labor Thanksgiving Day] Fingerplay “Busy Work”](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WuiXsN_yFyw/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s an introduction to a perfect hand-play activity for Labor Thanksgiving Day: “Busy Work.” First, everyone sits in a circle, leaving a little space between each person.
Move both hands to the rhythm—clapping your own hands and patting your neighbor’s hands in time with the song.
When the song stops at the end, it’s a success if everyone is holding hands.
This song can be adapted to various professions, like a mail carrier or a sushi chef.
Change your hand shapes to match the job.
For example, for a sushi chef, use the hand shape for forming sushi; for a hairstylist, make scissor shapes.
[Labor Thanksgiving Day] Song ‘Mister Hanging Strap’
![[Labor Thanksgiving Day] Song 'Mister Hanging Strap'](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RAA3H84EeJY/sddefault.jpg)
Speaking of holidays in November, there’s Labor Thanksgiving Day on the 23rd, right? Little children may not often ride trains or buses during rush hour.
How about this song for such kids? “Tsurikawa-san,” with lyrics by Michio Mado, portrays working people from the perspective of the strap handle.
And the strap handle is working too.
How wonderful is that! For children, it’s very important to understand others’ positions and try standing in their shoes.
The video has a quick tempo, so try singing it slowly.
[Labor Thanksgiving Day] Song “The Earliest One in the Morning”
![[Labor Thanksgiving Day] Song “The Earliest One in the Morning”](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cetqN3Xoz2A/sddefault.jpg)
Speaking of November, there’s Labor Thanksgiving Day on the 23rd, isn’t there? Children might not often see it, but there are many people who are already working from early in the morning.
How about this song to help us think about those people? By imagining the lives of people other than themselves, it would be nice if children could develop a gentle, caring attitude toward others.
It could also be fun for everyone to think together about who else gets up early in the morning, or who wakes up the earliest in your own home.
[Infant/Toddler] Hey hey, sweet potato!
![[Infant/Toddler] Hey hey, sweet potato!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J87vjPVSVoI/sddefault.jpg)
“Hore-hore Satsumaimo” is a song-and-movement play activity.
Enjoy a make-believe sweet potato digging game while singing together with a teacher or a nearby adult.
Since there’s no running around, it’s fine as long as there’s enough space so children don’t bump into each other when they spread their arms.
In preschools that have a sweet potato digging event, it’s perfect as an introduction to build an image of the activity and boost excitement leading up to the day.
You can also make sweet potatoes out of construction paper and enjoy an indoor potato-digging game.
[Infant] Mr. Sweet Potato, come on outgaagaaS
![[Infant] Mr. Sweet Potato, come on outgaagaaS](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/R8G7GoPsweM/sddefault.jpg)
Speaking of autumn, digging sweet potatoes is a classic activity! You might even go at nursery schools and kindergartens, but in fact, sweet potato digging takes stamina and requires delicate work, like slowly loosening the soil.
It’s a little early for infants, so at times like this, try playing a game called “Oi-mo-san, come on out!” In this game, you pretend the infants are sweet potatoes and ‘dig’ them up.
Stroke their palms while saying “the vine and the leaves,” and gently pull their arms while calling, “Come on out!” It’s also a great chance for close interaction with the children, so be sure to give it a try.