Lovely childcare

[Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving

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.
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.

Physical activity play is essential in early childhood education, isn’t it?

Here, we introduce ideas for outdoor play and activities you can do indoors.

Use these examples to incorporate a variety of movement games and help children grow strong in both mind and body.

Many of the activities don’t require special equipment, so you can feel at ease even without preparation.

When adults join in the fun, everyone can enjoy a great time together.

Create joyful moments filled with laughter.

Let both children and adults move their bodies a lot and play with energy!

[Childcare / Physical Play] Fun activities to move the body (41–50)

Mimic Rhythm Play

A handy game for meeting time: “Copycat Rhythm”

Mimic Rhythm Play

Here’s a follow-the-leader rhythm activity you can enjoy while copying movements.

As you hum the rhythm, the teacher demonstrates by clapping hands and gently tapping their own head or arms.

After watching the teacher’s example, the children play along with the rhythm by copying the movements they’ve learned.

During this time, the teacher should also move together with the children to serve as a model.

Younger children can participate within their abilities.

Older children, once they’re used to it, should try making their expressions bigger and more exaggerated.

Have fun by adjusting the tempo as you go.

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Fruits Basket

[Ages 3–4] “Fruit Basket”

Fruits Basket

By the time children are three years old, they’re able to play while following basic rules.

That’s when “Fruit Basket” is a great activity to introduce.

One of the charms of this game is that it can be enjoyed in a lively, large group.

The rules of Fruit Basket are very simple: the “it” player shouts the name of a specific fruit, and only the people sitting in chairs who belong to that fruit move to a different seat.

During this time, the “it” player tries to take a seat.

It’s ideal if the teacher can really set the mood so that children who are just learning the rules can have fun too!

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Inside-out pots!

Towel Play to Enhance Toddlers’ Motor Skills: “15. Nabé-Nabé Bottomless”

Inside-out pots!

Let’s play “Nabe-nabe Soko-nuke” using a towel.

First, prepare a towel with some size and length, such as a sports towel or a bath towel.

An adult holds one end and a child holds the other.

While singing “Nabe-nabe,” shake the towel, and when you get to the lyrics “When the bottom falls out, let’s go back,” turn around in a spin while still holding the towel.

Be careful not to spin too fast or pull too hard, as it can strain the shoulders.

Once you’ve practiced and can turn smoothly, children can also enjoy trying it together with each other!

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giant ball

https://www.tiktok.com/@nacchi_asobi/video/7475009257109376264

Let me introduce a giant ball that kids will be super excited about.

The method is very simple: inflate a garbage bag and tie it off to make a large ball shape.

Wrap duct tape around it, and you’re done.

If you change the colors of the tape as you stick it on, it becomes a visually fun ball as well.

Hold it, throw it—use your whole body and play freely with the giant ball.

Another plus is that, since it’s made of plastic, it won’t hurt even if it hits your head or body.

It might also be fun to make several of the same kind and play with them like a maze.

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Circle-Triangle-Square Game

@user5410675310492 ♬ Yattemiyou – WANIMA

Let me introduce a circle-triangle-square game that makes outdoor play even more fun.

Draw circles, triangles, and squares on the ground.

The leader calls out a shape, and the other children run to that shape and get inside it before the leader can tag them.

It’s also fun to place colored cones inside the shapes and have the children run to the shape or color that’s called or associated.

With a bit of creativity, the game can be expanded in many ways.

It’s a recommended game that tests explosiveness, decision-making, and thinking skills.

Give it a try!

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