Lovely childcare

[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] Useful for childcare! Introducing autumn craft ideas (31–40)

Two types of Mushichan only for infants and toddlers

Here are two fun bagworm craft ideas using twisted tissue paper and paper tape loops.

First, cut a square piece of tissue paper and round off one side with scissors.

Gently twist the side you didn’t cut, and glue it onto a base for the bagworm made from construction paper.

Prepare tissue paper in various colors to make a colorful “mino” (the bag).

Attach a face made from construction paper to finish.

For the paper tape version, cut the tape to a suitable length, glue one end to the base, then overlap the other end to form a loop and secure it.

Cover the whole body in rows, and finish it the same way by adding the face.

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A bagworm papercraft made with an envelope

Let me share an idea for making a bagworm using a brown envelope.

Cut off the top of the envelope with scissors, then fold the top left and right corners to the back.

Stick on eyes made by layering white and black round stickers, and then decorate the body with colored paper or yarn to represent the case.

Tear the colored paper into small pieces beforehand, and cut the yarn into suitable lengths.

Finally, tape a piece of jute string to the back of the envelope, and it’s done.

In addition to colored paper and yarn, you could also glue on leaves or small twigs you collected on a walk for a cute touch.

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Easy and cute way to fold an apple (origami)

[Preschool Craft] Easy Origami Apple: How to Make It♪

Easy and cute way to fold an apple (origami)

Let’s make a fall favorite—an apple—using two sheets of origami paper.

Use one sheet for the fruit and the other for the stem.

Fold the paper for the fruit in half twice to make a small square, then open it back up once the creases are set.

Fold the top edge down to meet the horizontal center crease, and fold the bottom left and right corners in toward the center of the paper.

Fold both top corners into small triangles, then tuck in the left, right, and bottom corners to round the overall shape.

Cut a slit at the top center, then open the cut section to the left and right and fold them down.

The fruit is complete.

Next, use a small piece of origami paper to make the stem.

Fold the paper in half by matching the top and bottom edges, then start at the bottom right corner and fold diagonally, rolling it into a narrow strip.

Secure it with glue so it doesn’t come undone, and the stem is finished.

Attach it into the slit you made, and your cute apple is ready!

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Wobbly fun! Paper-cup bagworm

[Kindergarten/Daycare] Wobbly fun♪ Making paper cup bagworms

Wobbly fun! Paper-cup bagworm

Hang these on the wall to meet lots of colorful, fun bagworms! First, prepare two sheets of origami paper in your favorite colors, then tear each one vertically into roughly four strips.

Next, apply glue to one end of a torn strip and randomly stick it onto the side of a paper cup near the bottom.

You can alternate the two colors or group the same color together—either is fine! At this point, also attach the bagworms’ eyes made from construction paper or origami.

Finally, use an awl to make a hole in the bottom of the paper cup, thread through some kite string for hanging, and secure it—that’s it! Please make sure that a kindergarten or nursery teacher, or a guardian, handles the hole-punching with the awl.

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Make a cute bagworm with kraft paper and washi tape!

[Autumn Craft] Make a little bagworm with kraft paper!

Make a cute bagworm with kraft paper and washi tape!

I’ll show you how to easily make a bagworm using kraft paper, yarn, and masking tape! First, roll up the kraft paper to form the body.

Wrap yarn around it and stick pieces of masking tape on randomly.

Next, draw a face on the face parts you made from colored construction paper, then attach it to the body with double-sided tape.

Finally, tape a string to the back of the face with clear tape, and you’re done! If children will be handling it, twine is recommended.

It looks super cute if you also make a tree branch out of cardboard and hang it, so give it a try!

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