[For 0-year-olds] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on bonding play and traditional nursery rhymes
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.
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[For 0-Year-Olds] Recommended Songs for Babies: A Special Feature on Interactive Play and Traditional Nursery Rhymes (11–20)
Panda, rabbit, koalasakushi: Takada Hiroo / sakkyoku: Inui Yūki
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.
Close It, Open ItSakushi: Fushō / Sakkyoku: Rusō
Musunde Hiraite, which also helps with a baby’s development, is a nursery rhyme loved across generations and is popular as a hand-play song.
While your baby is lying on their back, gently help them open and close their hands.
Movements like raising the hands up or spreading them to the sides become full-body exercise.
When the lyrics mention stars, airplanes, or frogs, parents can act them out to make it even more fun! Above all, it lets parents touch their baby with love, so it’s recommended for those who value close, affectionate interaction.
Mr. ElephantSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma
The children’s song “Zō-san,” featuring an adorable elephant parent and child.
Babies might not understand the lyrics yet, but the gentle, leisurely melody will likely feel soothing to them.
If you sing it softly, it could even work as a lullaby.
When Mom or Dad sings, using your arms to show the elephant’s long trunk will catch the baby’s eye.
Someday, go to the zoo together and sing while looking forward to the day you’ll see a real elephant.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakushi: Kimura Toshito / Sakkyoku: Amerika min’yō
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!
Head, Shoulders, Knees—pon!Sakushi: Fushō / Sakkyoku: Igirisu minyō
Have fun touching your own body with “Head, Shoulders, Knees—Clap.” It’s sung to the melody of the English nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” As you sing, do hand motions by touching the body parts mentioned in the lyrics.
If it’s “head,” touch your head; for eyes or nose, pointing is fine too.
After touching your knees, clap once.
First, let your child watch the moves, then have them imitate you, or gently guide their hands and move together.
It’s also a great chance for them to learn the names of their body parts and discover what each place is called.