Lovely childcare

[Childcare] A roundup of craft ideas for 1-year-olds, perfect for summer

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

As summer arrives, it seems even the one-year-olds are gradually getting used to life at the daycare.

Since each one-year-old has their own pace, it’s important to enjoy creation in ways that suit each child.

Trying a variety of motifs and techniques helps ideas flow freely.

Themes related to summer—like the ocean, sunflowers, or fish—are also recommended.

By coloring, sticking stickers, and pressing with their hands, children can experience the fun of textures and colors.

With teachers’ support, please enjoy creating together! Because the children’s work is treated as “artworks,” the term used in the text is “seisaku” (制作).

[Childcare] A collection of summer-perfect craft ideas for 1-year-olds (1–10)

Torn Paper Craft: Making a Watermelon

Indoor play for 0- and 1-year-olds: tearing paper play, at-home activities, summer craft—making watermelons, origami play

Torn Paper Craft: Making a Watermelon

Tearing paper not only captures the interest of one-year-olds but also has a positive effect on the development of their finger dexterity.

Be sure to include it in your summer craft time and let everyone make torn-paper watermelons together.

First, as preparation, cut out and glue a round watermelon and a half-circle watermelon from white drawing paper.

If you design the half-circle watermelon to show the red flesh, it will result in a brighter, more vivid finish.

Next, have the children tear black origami paper.

Set up the environment so they can focus on tearing, and supervise them as they work.

To finish, glue the longer torn pieces onto the round watermelon and the smaller, finely torn pieces onto the half-circle watermelon.

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[Sponge Stamp] Vivid Sunflower

[From around age 1] Sunflower craft #childcareIdeas #daycare #DIY #craft #indoorPlay #artProject #flower

[Sponge Stamp] Vivid Sunflower

Sponge stamping can be a fun craft activity for one-year-olds.

Would you like to use it for a summery sunflower project? First, the teacher prepares the sunflower.

Fold yellow origami paper into a triangle four times, then cut it into the shape of sunflower petals with scissors.

Open the paper to reveal a cute flower shape! Have the children scribble on construction paper with green crayons, and use sponge stamps to add brown patterns on white paper.

For the finishing touches, the teacher can glue the sunflower, stem, and leaves over the scribbles, and attach a circle cut from brown paper in the center of the flower to complete a vibrant sunflower.

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[Tissue Paper] Wind Chime Decoration

Craft: “Flower Wind Chimes” [Ages 0+] [How to Make] [Childcare] [July] [August]

[Tissue Paper] Wind Chime Decoration

Let’s make colorful, fluffy wind chimes using tissue paper.

As preparation, cut a clear file folder into the shape of a wind chime.

Apply double-sided tape to the wind chime you made; using transparent double-sided tape will give a neat finish.

Have the children crumple the tissue paper and stick it onto the wind chime.

If you prepare several colors of tissue paper and cover the surface with them, it will look vibrant.

Cut patterned origami into rectangular strips, punch a hole, and thread twine through it.

Combine it with the wind chime, and it’s complete!

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[Childcare] A collection of craft ideas perfect for summer for 1-year-olds (11–20)

Corn with stamps

How about using corn—something kids love—as a summer crafting motif? Both a stamp made with bubble wrap and one made with cardboard are great options.

Prepare the base corn and leaves ahead of time using colored construction paper.

Make one stamp by wrapping a small ball of cotton with bubble wrap and securing it with a rubber band, and another by rolling a strip of cardboard into a coil and taping it.

Use yellow paint as the “ink” for both, and enjoy freely dabbing and stamping away!

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Colorful fish with decalcomania

Decalcomania is a simple technique that even one-year-olds can try, yet it’s also a delightful way to enjoy color.

Let’s use decalcomania to create fish that swim smoothly.

First, have fun with decalcomania on construction paper.

It’s great if you can involve one-year-olds from the step of placing the paint.

Once the paint dries, cut the construction paper into fish shapes and use round stickers to make the eyes and mouth.

Finally, stick the fish onto another sheet of construction paper to represent the ocean, and you’re done! Give it a try and make these adorable fish swimming in the sea.

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[Sticker Activity] Shaved Ice Craft for the 1-Year-Old Class

Shaved Ice Craft for 1-Year-Olds: A Construction Activity Using Construction Paper for Childcare Workers

[Sticker Activity] Shaved Ice Craft for the 1-Year-Old Class

For a class of one-year-olds, we recommend an easy shaved-ice craft that uses stickers.

Please have the teacher cut construction paper into the shapes of shaved ice, a bowl, and a spoon, and assemble those parts in advance.

The children will then add the syrup and toppings by placing stickers on the shaved ice.

Use round stickers, or fruit-themed stickers as toppings, to complete the shaved ice.

Once finished, try using the shaved ice crafts as wall decorations.

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[Handprint/Footprint Art] Octopus and Squid Swimming in the Sea

Let’s make summery octopus and squid crafts using children’s handprints.

First, take one handprint each using red and white paint.

Next, prepare construction paper for the octopus and squid faces.

Have the kids create the faces with stickers or crayons.

Once the handprints are dry, cut them out and use the fingers as legs, attaching them to the face pieces.

For the background paper, stamp patterns using a toilet paper roll and paint.

Since controlling the pressure can be tricky, it’s reassuring for the teacher to help.

To finish, glue on the octopus and squid, along with seaweed and rocks, and you’re done!

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