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

Chochi chochi awawa.warabeuta

Chochi-chochi Awawa (hand play song)

Traditional Japanese nursery rhymes are a charming way to spend quality time with your baby.

With endearing hand and facial movements, look your child in the eyes and gently hold hands as you play together.

Perfect for deepening the bond between caregivers and children, this work has been featured in various educational programs and events, and its appeal has been passed down across generations.

You can play with your baby on your lap or while lying down, allowing you to adapt flexibly to their condition and mood.

With a caregiver’s gentle singing and warm touch, enjoy a delightful time filled with your baby’s smiles.

Pop goes the egg.Sakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Washizuna Tsue

Hand-play and touch interaction song “Tamago o Pon” [Shufunotomo Co., Ltd.]

Hold the baby’s hands and bring them together as if cracking an egg.

From there, to the rhythm of the song, gently touch their face, neck, and body—this interactive play is called “Tamagowo Pon.” Raw egg, fried egg, boiled egg… the cute lyrics are delightful, aren’t they? And of course, zero-year-olds are as adorable as little jewels.

If you see a smile during this touch-time, it will make you happy too.

Talking to the baby while touching their body supports their emotional development and helps with stress care.

It’s also known as “touch care.”

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Araki Jakkan

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strollSakushi: Nakagawa Rieko / Sakkyoku: Hisaishi Joe

♪ Stroll – Let’s walk, let’s walk, I’m feeling great~ ♪ <with choreography> [Studio Ghibli film “My Neighbor Totoro” opening theme]

This bright, cheerful march-style song is perfect for connecting with your child.

It was included on the album “My Neighbor Totoro Image Song Collection” released in November 1987, and is also well known as the opening theme song of Studio Ghibli’s animated film “My Neighbor Totoro.” The lyrics were written by children’s author Rieko Nakagawa, with music composed by Joe Hisaishi.

Its appeal lies in a simple melody that conveys a positive feeling and warm, heartfelt lyrics.

Because it’s easy to sing while moving energetically, it’s also recommended for musical play in preschools and kindergartens.

It’s a wonderful piece you can enjoy together—holding hands, interacting, and facing your child as you share the experience.

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beardSakushi: Fushō / Sakkyoku: Tamayama Hidenobu

Tap tap tap tap, Grandpa with a beard

It’s a hand-clapping song that’s super popular with kids.

Even tiny babies will laugh out loud when you sing it with big, exaggerated facial expressions and hand movements! It’s perfect for caregivers trying hand-play songs for the first time.

You can have fun by changing things up—try making a deliberately sad face with a lower tone of voice, or sing it faster or slower.

There are lots of ways to play with it.

Since you can move your body together while you play, it’s perfect for enjoying at home on a rainy day!

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Maron

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If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakushi: Kimura Toshito / Sakkyoku: Amerika min’yō

[Hand Play Song] If You're Happy and You Know It — A nursery rhyme that makes babies smile and rejoice

The children’s song “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” which is also sung at kindergartens and daycare centers, is perfect for interactive play with your baby! Gently hold their hands and clap together, or while seated, hold their feet and tap-tap to bring both feet together—enjoy your time by touching their whole body.

As you keep moving while letting them hear the song over and over, they may start wiggling their hands and feet on their own.

Once they can move spontaneously, be sure to praise them lots!

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yuri

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Rolling EggsSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Fushou

[Hand Play Song] An active nursery teacher demonstrates “Korokoro Tamago”! [With singing and gestures]

The hand-play song “Korokoro Tamago,” which repeats the same motions, is also recommended.

It depicts an egg rolling, a chick that hatches and walks, and a grown chicken crowing.

You show the egg by making a fist and rolling your arms, the chick by moving your index finger up and down, and the chicken by flapping your hands.

All the motions are simple, so it’s considered easy for children to imitate from an early stage.

Another appeal is that kids can enjoy moving their bodies in big, dynamic ways.

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yamamoto

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Panda, rabbit, koalasakushi: Takada Hiroo / sakkyoku: Inui Yūki

Panda, Bunny, Koala ♪

How about “Panda, Rabbit, Koala,” a hand-play song that became widely popular thanks to the NHK educational program Okaasan to Issho (With Mother)? The song is known for having lyrics written by Hiroo Takada.

It invites children to imitate the movements of the panda, rabbit, and koala that appear in the lyrics.

Its appeal also lies in the built-in variations and game-like elements, such as the tempo gradually speeding up.

Adding brief explanations between verses—like “Let’s line them up!”—might make it even more enjoyable.

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yamamoto

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