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 (31–40)

Abuku-tatta

Awabuku Tatta.AVI

Abuku-tatta

Abukutatta is a game that makes interacting with friends fun.

First, choose one child to be the bean and have them crouch in the middle.

The other children and the teacher join hands to form a circle and walk around the bean child while singing “Abukutatta.” You can look up the lyrics on the internet! When the circling part ends, the other children move to new spots and continue singing, adding gestures like “Go home and close the cupboard.” The bean child approaches and gives the signal with a “knock, knock, knock.” When asked, “What’s that sound?” they answer with the sound.

Saying “It’s a ghost’s sound” is the cue for a tag game to begin! Try to run away so the bean child doesn’t catch you.

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Mojo-Mojo Bug

Childcare Magazine Hiroba, April 2018 Issue: “It’s Time for Movement Play! ~Wriggly Bugs”

Mojo-Mojo Bug

Mojo-Mojo Mushi starts with a lively shout of “The little bugs are coming out!” First, wiggle your hands to imitate how bugs move.

Once everyone has warmed up by making faces like a crybaby bug or an angry bug, the teacher gives the cue and the chase begins! You can enjoy lots of variations: use your whole body to show wiggly movements, try making crybaby or angry bug faces while gently touching your friends’ faces, and more.

If you’re getting tired of the standard game of tag, give this a try!

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4 Exercises Parents and Children Can Enjoy Together

[Exercise & Gymnastics Kids Love] Four Parent-Child Exercises Recommended from Age 3, Part 1 / Fun rule-based movement games and exercise/gymnastics videos to boost children’s motor skills together with Mom

4 Exercises Parents and Children Can Enjoy Together

Here are four exercises that parents and children can enjoy together.

“Robot Walk” is where the adult kneels in seiza, the child sits on the adult’s knees, and the adult walks while staying in seiza.

“Robot Walk 2” is where the adult stands, the child stands on the tops of the adult’s feet, and they walk together.

“Ballerina” is an exercise where the child raises one hand, the adult holds that hand as a pivot, and spins the child around.

“Butt Touch” is a game where the adult and child face each other, shake right hands, and try to touch each other’s butt.

Except for “Ballerina,” the adult moves as well, so both can be active together.

Why not try these to help get some exercise?

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Whoops, spinny!

Childcare Magazine Hiroba, August 2017 Issue: “It’s Time for Movement Play! — Are-re Kururin”

Whoops, spinny!

Are-re Kururin, where two people pair up and spin around while holding hands, is a physical game that can be played in several variations depending on how you do it.

You can add twists like ducking under each other’s arms or stepping over them while keeping your hands linked.

Try to play so that you can see your partner’s face and spin smoothly together.

Once you get used to it, you can try it with three people as well.

Make sure you have a wide, open space so children don’t bump into each other.

If the teacher pairs up with a child to demonstrate first, it helps the children visualize the movements and also prevents injuries.

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karasu kazunoko

karasu kazunoko

karasu kazunoko

A children’s circle song where you keep adding friends as you play! Here’s an idea from Karasu Kazunoko.

Circle songs aren’t just fun—they’re said to play an important role in fostering children’s language development and sense of rhythm.

Deepen communication by singing while playing together with teachers, parents, or friends! Children stand in a circle while one person walks around them in loops.

When the song ends, the walker taps the friend in front of them to add another member to the group.

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