"Kacchin-Kun", made by the bottom of PET plastic bottle, is a good playing tool like a castanet for young children and sustainable development of all generations.
Inspired by a traditional dance ("Niagariodori") of Fukuyama near Hiroshima, instead of original bamboo castanets, I tried to make a useful teaching materials for children and teachers by respecting the traditional culture and to reduce and recycle waste for worry over the throwaway behavior of young generation. Finally the bottom of plastic bottle called "Kacchin-Kun" is found to beat with a joyful sound in 2005.
Putting a rubber not to fall it out of children's hands, with colorful vinyl tape that protects the cut of bottom, children can make it themselves with help of parents and teachers. This is lightweight and safe instrument to make their sound.
Students, future teachers of early childhood education and care, of Fukuyama City University learn how to make and use it, and study its relation to children's development. They collect plastic bottles for off-campus practices and parent-child activities. There are also courses to practice ESD in early childhood teacher education with "Kacchin-Kun" as a training resource.
Children love to make it. To make it more, they collect plastic bottles and reuse them. This is a change of behavior to think about the sustainable life.
Now, many citizens send a lot of plastic bottles to university for children and students. There is a sure cycle of plastic bottles for "Kacchin-Kun" in Fukuyama; collaborating with Municipal offices, social centers and families.
"Kacchin-Kun" is good for the children's development and health, it’s a rhythmic and good exercise, children of Fukuyama practice often it. The color, sound, touch, movement with this "Kacchin-Kun", give children many positive stimulus. Now many people dance "Niagariodori" with this new castanet in the summer festival in Fukuyama.
