[For Elementary School Students] Ideas for How to Add a Thoughtful Message to New Year’s Cards

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.

When an elementary schooler receives a New Year’s card from a friend, many people may wonder what brief message to add in their reply.

In this article, we’ve gathered clever one-line ideas that elementary school students can use.

From New Year’s greetings and words of thanks, to ways of writing your goals for the year together, and messages that touch on memories with friends—these are all expressions that the recipient will appreciate.

Even a New Year’s card that feels plain when you just copy a set phrase can make a much stronger impression with just a short added note.

Try creating heartfelt New Year’s cards together as a parent and child, and enjoy the process!

[For Elementary School Students] Ideas for Writing Thoughtful One-Liners on New Year’s Cards (41–50)

Let’s make it a year where smiles spread in a chain!

Happiness circulates: when you smile, a joyful feeling wells up, and that feeling brings out even more smiles.

This message carries the hope that such happiness will lead to even greater happiness throughout the year.

Smiles ripple within ourselves, but our own smile can also spark someone else’s, reflecting a spirit of mutual support.

It conveys a grand kindness—smiles that begin with you spreading to others, and from there widening until an even broader circle is filled with smiles.

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kappamaki

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With a horse-like speed in both play and study!

When we think of horses, we picture them running at incredible speed.

This phrase conveys the idea of tackling both play and study at that same fast pace.

But horses also sometimes walk slowly, don’t they? Moving quickly is great, but it can also be good to take things at a slower pace now and then.

Depending on the situation, why not include this phrase with the intention of working hard like a horse—sometimes speeding up, sometimes slowing down as needed?

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SAKI

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Clear your homework at top speed with horse power!

When we think of horses, we get an image of them dashing swiftly, don’t we? Inspired by that light and speedy image, here’s a message that cleverly conveys the idea of “let’s finish our winter break homework quickly.” Homework assigned over a long vacation can feel gloomy if it’s left undone.

So send a message to your friends encouraging them to finish as soon as possible! Receiving this message will, of course, motivate them—and since you’re the one sending it, you’ll feel, “If I’m sending this, I’ve got to finish quickly too!” and get fired up yourself.

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Hane Keisuke

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Wishing you a year full of fun powered by horses.

A cheerful, lively message that’s perfect for the Year of the Horse! If you write something like “With horse power, let’s make it a fun year,” you can capture a New Year’s theme while conveying lots of energy.

Adding a brief note about fun, horse-like moments—such as “running around energetically on last year’s field trip” or “the time we sprinted and laughed our hearts out at the sports day”—will help express your feelings even more.

It’s a bright, positive message filled with the wish for a year brimming with energy and smiles, just like a spirited horse.

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kepiko

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Let’s find something fun with horse power!

I want to do something more fun in the new year! If you want to share that feeling with friends in a New Year’s card, how about sending words like these? Work hard like a horse to find what’s fun.

It’s exactly the kind of challenge we’d love for elementary school kids to take on.

Of course, studying and lessons are important, but finding things that make everyday life enjoyable matters too.

Trying your best for that can create truly unforgettable moments.

If your child wants to make a year full of fun memories with close friends, encourage them to use these words.

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SAKI

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In conclusion

By adding a thoughtful note to New Year’s cards, even elementary school children can naturally learn the importance of putting their feelings into words.

Simple yet heartfelt messages—like celebrating growth or sharing fun memories—leave a lasting impression on the recipient.

This year, why not enjoy making New Year’s cards together as a parent and child while thinking up a warm, kind message?