[October] Craft ideas for fall you can use in childcare

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

October is when you can feel autumn even more strongly, thanks to changes in nature and the climate.

This is a must-read for teachers who are thinking, “I want to enjoy autumn-specific crafts with the children!”

Here we introduce craft ideas perfect for October.

You’ll find a wide range of ideas: themes inspired by Halloween such as ghosts and pumpkins; and themes that feature autumn-only natural items and seasonal tastes like fallen leaves, acorns, mushrooms, and grapes.

We also introduce techniques that stimulate children’s five senses and curiosity, as well as fun ways to use materials that greatly expand their imaginative world—please use them for inspiration.

Because we focus on ideas for creating works that allow children to freely express their individuality, we use the term “制作 (seisaku)” as “creation” or “craft” in the text.

[October] Preschool-ready! Autumn craft ideas (81–90)

Hedgehogs for infants (ages 1 and up)

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♪ Original Song – Craft Ideas for Childcare ♪ Hoiku Kyujin Labo – Hoiku Kyujin Labo | Nursery Teacher Job Changes and Helpful Information

A hedgehog craft made by sticking pieces is perfect for one-year-olds who find complex tasks difficult, and it’s a great activity that lets them feel a sense of accomplishment from “I did it!” Prepare construction paper cut into parts for the hedgehog’s legs, body, and spines, along with glue and round stickers.

Have the children glue each part onto the body.

Repeating the sticking action is also recommended for promoting children’s fine motor development.

As the teacher encourages them by saying things like “You stuck it on so well,” the children accumulate small successes, build confidence, and this leads to meaningful growth.

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[Ages 2 and up] One-snip hedgehog with scissors

Let’s make an adorably prickly hedgehog using scissors.

Prepare construction paper, glue, and scissors.

It’s recommended that the teacher pre-cut the hedgehog’s spines/fur pieces and the face parts in advance.

Have the children work on the part where they make slits by cutting vertically into the spine pieces with scissors.

Start by practicing cutting straight vertical lines to help them learn how to use scissors.

Folding the cut spine pieces will add a three-dimensional look.

For the face, drawing with crayons or colored pens might result in hedgehogs with a variety of expressions.

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[Ages 3 and up] Hedgehog Snip-Snip Craft

Using everyday paper plates to make hedgehogs is a great craft for 3-year-olds who are starting to enjoy expressing themselves.

Get paper plates, scissors, construction paper, and glue ready.

Prepare the hedgehog bodies in advance, and have the children make cuts around the edge of the paper plate, snipping from the outside toward the inside.

It’s also a good idea to draw guide lines so they can cut along them.

By drawing the hedgehog’s face themselves, each child can create their own original hedgehog.

Giving the hedgehogs names and using them in play can make the activity even more fun.

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[Ages 3 and up] Hedgehog made with yarn

Creating hedgehogs with yarn is a craft that captures the gentle feeling of autumn.

Prepare yarn, a hedgehog base, and glue, and let’s get started.

Tasks like sticking on cut pieces of yarn or wrapping yarn help naturally develop thinking skills, such as controlling the tension while wrapping and deciding where to place the yarn when gluing.

Threading yarn through holes makes it easier to experience a sense of accomplishment.

If you prepare a generous variety of yarn types and colors in advance, the added fun of choosing boosts motivation and turns it into an enjoyable crafting activity.

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[Ages 4 and up] Hedgehog made with construction paper

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[For Preschool Teachers] Hedgehog craft made with construction paper 🦔🎶 Preschool craft, preschool teacher, ideas for the classroom, easy craft to make with children, make-and-play activity, popular craft, wall display, wall decorationsHedgehog
♪ Original Song – Hoiku Kyujin Labo – Hoiku Kyujin Labo | Nursery Teacher Job Changes and Helpful Information

The hedgehog craft that lets children feel the seasons helps four-year-olds further develop their color choices and tool use.

Prepare construction paper, glue, and scissors, and let’s get started.

Cut out the hedgehog’s body, ears, and fur from construction paper using scissors.

Glue the cut pieces together.

Use zigzag scissors to give the fur a three-dimensional look.

Once you’ve glued all the parts together with a good sense of balance, it’s complete.

This activity also encourages children to think about things like how much glue to use and how to arrange the parts.

Give it a try!

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