Lovely childcare

September: Autumn crafts! Ideas 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.

In September, when the season gradually shifts from the hot summer to autumn, there are many chances to feel the change of seasons through nature and living creatures.

This is a must-read for teachers at daycare centers and kindergartens who are thinking, “We want to incorporate crafts that let children feel autumn!”

Here are some recommended craft ideas for September.

We’ve gathered a wide range of ideas—from those that incorporate familiar autumn elements for children such as fallen leaves and acorns, to ones that use unique techniques that stimulate the five senses.

With a bit of adaptation, these activities can be enjoyed by children from infants to the oldest kindergarteners, so please make good use of them.

Since we emphasize project ideas that make the most of children’s free imagination, we use the term “制作 (seisaku: creation/production)” rather than “製作 (seisaku: craft/production)” in the text.

[September] Autumn crafts! Introducing ideas useful for childcare (41–50)

Hedgehogs for infants (ages 1 and up)

@hoiku.labo
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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 4 and up] Hedgehog made with construction paper

@hoiku.labo
[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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[Ages 1 and up] Easy Hedgehog with Fork and Sponge

Hedgehog Craft: Easy to Make Even for Infants Using a Fork or a Sponge

[Ages 1 and up] Easy Hedgehog with Fork and Sponge

Let’s have fun making a hedgehog that squeaks “peep-peep,” using a fork and a sponge.

Prepare disposable plastic forks, sponges, a base sheet of construction paper, a hedgehog template, paints, and a palette.

Apply paint to the entire back side of the fork and press it onto the hedgehog template as you paint.

A rubbed, scratchy-looking texture helps create a more three-dimensional effect—this is a key point.

When dabbing paint with a sponge, the strength of the pressure you apply to the paper will change how the color appears.

This craft is perfect for one-year-old children who are exploring textures—give it a try!

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[Ages 2 and up] Let’s make a hedgehog with newspaper!

[Preschool Craft] Make a Hedgehog with Newspaper! Easy Preschool Craft♪

[Ages 2 and up] Let’s make a hedgehog with newspaper!

Making newspaper hedgehogs is perfect for two-year-olds who enjoy using their hands.

Prepare construction paper, a hedgehog template, glue, newspaper, and scissors, and get started.

You can cut the newspaper with scissors, but tearing it by hand to represent the hedgehog’s spines or fur is also recommended.

Since two-year-olds aren’t yet familiar with using scissors, be sure to check their grip and how to open and close the scissors before proceeding.

Using tissue paper or origami to make a colorful hedgehog can also be a great way to help them enjoy colors visually.

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Swirly Grapes

[Craft] Twirling Grapes

Swirly Grapes

When it comes to the king of autumn flavors, grapes surely take the crown.

Let’s make a seasonal craft by rolling construction paper.

Prepare construction paper, scissors, and glue.

Cut the construction paper into a teardrop shape to create the base for the grapes.

Cut long, thin strips of construction paper and roll them tightly with your fingertips to form grape shapes.

Glue the rolled “grapes” onto the base in a three-dimensional way, making sure there are no gaps.

Finally, cut and roll green construction paper to make the stem and cluster top, then glue it on to finish.

Try making it while paying attention to finger dexterity, size, and overall balance.

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