Lovely childcare

[For 0-year-olds] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on bonding play and traditional nursery rhymes

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
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.

Music has a mysterious power: when you sing, a baby may suddenly stop crying, drift off to sleep, or show you a lovely smile.

It’s said that listening to music from a young age can boost concentration and support language development.

Let’s incorporate plenty of soothing music into daily life for your baby and actively stimulate their five senses.

This time, we’ll introduce recommended songs, interactive play, and traditional nursery rhymes for 0-year-olds.

We’ve gathered many warm and cheerful songs.

Gaze into your baby’s eyes, show hand and mouth movements, and gently touch their body as you enjoy the music together.

[For 0-year-olds] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on interactive play and traditional nursery rhymes (41–50)

peach-colored cheeksSakushi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Shou

[March 2025 Latest Tsukiuta] Peachy Cheeks 🍑💓 by UtaSta | video by Odorippi | Babies Will Love It | Children's Song | Dance | With Choreography | With Mother | Peekaboo

peach-colored cheeksSakushi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Shou

The new song that began airing in March 2025 on NHK Educational TV’s “Okaasan to Issho” is a cheerful and fun piece created by Sho Yamamoto.

It features an appealing, idol-style melody and lyrics that are easy to enjoy.

With lively choreography designed to bring out children’s smiles, the piece has a heartwarming finish.

Sung joyfully by singer Nagata Maya, exercise leader Anzu Akimoto, and the new character Mimomo-chan, this song is delightful for everyone from babies to young children.

It’s a wonderful tune that families can enjoy together, moving their bodies to the rhythm.

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Playing bus (pretend bus play)Sakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

Bus Pretend Play (♪ We’re riding on a big bus ~ To our neighbor, hey!) by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics | Children’s Song | BUS GOKKO | Vehicle Song, Eurhythmics, Nursery Teacher Exam Set Piece 2019

Playing bus (pretend bus play)Sakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

This lively children’s song by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama captures the excitement of setting off on a trip in a big bus.

Set to a rhythmic melody, it gently portrays children enjoying pretend play with vehicles.

It’s a song you can sing while moving your hands and body, so it naturally brings smiles to children’s faces.

Long cherished in childcare and educational settings, it’s also used as a play song.

With spring outing season approaching, why not sing it together as a family before a walk or a day out? If everyone enjoys it while keeping the beat, it will surely create wonderful memories in children’s hearts.

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butterfly

[Children's Song] Butterfly / Daisuke Yokoyama

butterfly

We’d like to introduce “Chōchō,” a hand-play song with delightfully gentle, floating hand movements.

Based on a Spanish folk tune and arranged by Akiashi Nomura, this song has long been beloved by many children.

The lyrics depict a butterfly fluttering about, moving from flower to flower.

Matching the words, you form a butterfly shape with both hands to express it dancing.

The mesmerizing motions and soothing melody are sure to comfort babies.

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The flower smiled.

The Flower Smiled – The Flower Smiled, The Flower Smiled~ (with choreography) [Children’s Song, Piano Accompaniment]

The flower smiled.

How about enjoying a hand play game with the nursery rhyme “Ohanaga Waratta,” perfect for spring? You can make a flower with your hands and open them wide—it’s a very simple and cute choreography.

Playing it together with children who are nervous in a new environment, or having teachers perform it, might help ease their anxiety a little.

This song may also convey that kindergarten and daycare are fun places.

Please consider giving it a try.

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Abuku-tatta

https://www.tiktok.com/@rittle0601/video/7295691233664437511

The “Abukutatta Nietatta” singing game always brings out such delighted expressions in your child, doesn’t it? While singing, gently hold your child’s feet and move them, watching how they respond to left, right, up, and down.

When moving the feet, don’t shake them strongly—move them gently and slowly.

For the “musha-musha-musha” part, lightly touch their tummy as if you’re “eating” it; your child will love it.

For older babies, it’s also fun to increase the speed!

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