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 Get Moving (101–110)

Scarf Dance: The Wind Is CallingKazuto Ozawa

[Kazuto Ozawa Scarf Dance] The wind is calling

Scarf Dance: The Wind Is Calling Kazuto Ozawa

Singer-songwriter and play-writer Kazuto Ozawa’s scarf dance “The Wind Is Calling” features choreography that expresses many kinds of wind.

Some moves are as simple as gently swinging the arms forward and back, while others use the whole body as if flailing about.

The clear variation in tempo makes it easy for children to learn, and simply moving their bodies with a big “whoosh” is likely great fun for them.

It’s also recommended as a performance piece for sports days and school recitals.

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Mochi pounding

Hoiku Magazine Hiroba, January 2018 Issue: “It’s Time for Movement Play! ~ Mochi Pounding”

Mochi pounding

“Omochi Petchan” starts with a hand-play song while standing.

Have the children imagine mochi and express it.

Once they’re used to expressing it, develop it into a full-body movement activity.

At the cue “Let’s become mochi,” have them show mochi puffing up and shrinking by bending and stretching their bodies.

It’s okay if they don’t do it perfectly! We want to value each child’s desire to express themselves.

At the end, the teacher says “Itadakimasu” and chases the children.

Let’s enjoy a lively game of tag.

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Dance “Ebi Kaniks”

Ebi Kanix / Keropons [Official Music Video]

Dance “Ebi Kaniks”

“Ebikanics” is famous as a dance in early childhood settings! If you’ve just started teaching, why not practice with this catchy, easy-to-dance number that kids love? Every pose is easy to express, and even just hopping along to the rhythmic music is fun, so you can use it with one-year-old classes.

Strike the shrimp and crab poses big and bold.

Teachers are the children’s role models—master the dance and enjoy it together with them!

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Big American bullfrog cup touch

[Older Class] Big Bullfrog Cup Touch_Yanagisawa Exercise Program_Motor Therapy

Big American bullfrog cup touch

Pretend to be a big bullfrog and touch the cups placed on the floor! The key is to move your hands and feet independently.

Stand with your legs wide apart, then first place your hands on the floor in front of you.

Next, hop so that your feet land as far forward as possible past your hands, and keep moving your hands forward while touching the cups.

By placing the cups closer together and increasing their number, you can boost the intensity.

It’s a movement you don’t often do in daily life, and it will help you build strong core strength.

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Let’s clap our hands

Hiroba April 2019 Issue: “It’s Time for Movement Play!” ‘Let’s Clap Our Hands (1)’

Let's clap our hands

Let’s play “Let’s Clap Our Hands,” an easy and fun activity even for little kids! This game, which involves clapping hands, stomping feet, and expressing emotions like joy, anger, sadness, and happiness, is often used as a hand-play song.

This time, let’s try expressing with our bodies while copying the teacher.

It’s great because you can do it standing or sitting.

It’s also easy to arrange, so adding your own lyrics or movements gives it a fresh way to enjoy.

You can also add new actions based on the children’s requests!

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