![[Childcare] Ideas inspired by October events: Activities you can use in everyday childcare](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/r9c3tnuddZU/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] Ideas inspired by October events: Activities you can use in everyday childcare
A lot of preschools and kindergartens probably host various events in October, don’t they?
While you’re putting extra effort into practice and preparations, it can be hard to decide what to do for everyday activities.
In times like that, why not try incorporating activities connected to the events?
In this article, we’ve gathered October-specific ideas such as dance routines you can use for sports day and activities themed around sweet potato digging.
As you imagine the children happily engaging every day, have fun getting everything ready!
[Childcare] Ideas themed around October events. Activities (1–10) that can be used in everyday childcare
[Hand Play] One Little Ghost
![[Hand Play] One Little Ghost](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r9c3tnuddZU/sddefault.jpg)
This “Ippiki Obake” is a popular hand-play song in early childhood education.
Each time the same phrase is repeated, the number of little ghosts increases.
Match that by adding more body parts to move, and at the end say “Waa!” to playfully startle someone nearby.
It’s very simple, so even children who are too young to dance can imitate it and enjoy themselves.
Since it’s a ghost song, it’s perfect for Halloween in October, too.
Playing it repeatedly turns into a full-body activity and may help children relieve stress.
[Sports Day] Arranged Dodgeball
![[Sports Day] Arranged Dodgeball](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/plkRmJjc6h4/sddefault.jpg)
The second Monday of October is Sports Day.
It used to be called Health and Sports Day.
On Sports Day, you naturally want to get moving.
So how about playing dodgeball, a game kids love? Since all you have to do is dodge the ball, even first-timers are sure to enjoy it.
If you decorate the ball like a jack-o’-lantern and tell the losing team, “The witch might give you a punishment…,” you’ll create a Halloween vibe that’s sure to get everyone excited!
[Halloween] Halloween Party
![[Halloween] Halloween Party](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QNkurYyppj8/sddefault.jpg)
When you think of October events, it has to be Halloween! Many preschools and kindergartens probably hold a Halloween party every year.
But when it’s an annual thing, coming up with ideas for the party can be quite a challenge.
In times like that, how about having fun together with the children right from the preparation stage? Making gifts for other classes or handcrafting costumes using recycled materials could get both the kids and teachers excited together.
On the day itself, teachers can put on a performance, and you can also try dances and games that everyone can enjoy with the children.
Let’s plan activities that help children develop a rich sense of creativity! And don’t forget to prepare the children’s favorite part—treats.
[Fingerplay] Rolling Potatoes
![[Fingerplay] Rolling Potatoes](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/36a-28psUg4/sddefault.jpg)
Autumn is a great season to experience digging sweet potatoes, isn’t it? You carefully scoop the sweet potatoes buried in the soil with a little shovel, and some children may have enjoyed sweet potato rice or sweet potato pastries at home.
The peak season for sweet potatoes starts in October! So for October’s childcare activities, why not enjoy the hand-play song “Oimo Korokoro”? The lyrics are cute, as if you’re calling to the potatoes, “Come on out!” and the choreography is very simple.
You’ll learn it right away and everyone can sing together.
[Reading Week] Picture Books Recommended for Read-Alouds
![[Reading Week] Picture Books Recommended for Read-Alouds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aQEWWS1drXU/sddefault.jpg)
Reading Week starts on October 27.
So in October, why not select some popular picture books—like Moko Moko Moko, Don’t Push the Button!, and the 11 Piki no Neko series—and enjoy reading with the children? You could add an extra read-aloud session each day, or host a reading event.
It’s also a great idea to have the children choose in advance which books they want to read during Reading Week, and for the older class, let children who can read hiragana try being the reader—it would be a valuable experience.
Sports Day Dance: Under the Sea
Under the Sea,” the famous song from Disney’s animated film The Little Mermaid.
In the movie, Sebastian the crab sings to Ariel about how wonderful life under the sea is.
Its bright, dance-inducing melody is popular with children and is often used as a dance song.
If you haven’t chosen a dance track for the school sports day yet, how about picking this one? If everyone dresses up as sea creatures and dances, it will surely be adorable.
[Food Education] Sweet Potato Harvesting
![[Food Education] Sweet Potato Harvesting](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jtbQr1qnSzU/sddefault.jpg)
This is a perfect indoor activity for October, when the weather starts to get chilly: enjoying a sweet potato harvest game! It’s also a great idea for food education, so why not try it at nursery schools or kindergartens? Decorate empty tissue boxes and place paper sweet potatoes inside to create a harvesting experience.
Wearing real work gloves for a more authentic challenge or enjoying it to music is also great.
You could even make roasted sweet potatoes and taste them together with the children as part of food education.
There are plenty of variations, like fingerplay and picture books related to sweet potatoes, so try starting with whatever is feasible.