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.

[Age 0] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on interactive play and traditional nursery rhymes (21–30)

Shopping at the bakery

Shopping at the bakery (interactive play) Nap time Ages 0+

Shopping at the bakery

This is a baby massage song with distinctive lyrics that imagine a baby’s face as different kinds of bread.

Gently cup your baby’s face with your hands like a sandwich, plump cheeks become melon bread, the tiny nose is a twisted doughnut, and the cute ears are bread crusts—touch each part in time with the lyrics.

Occasionally give the body light, playful pokes to stimulate and help the baby sense where they’re being touched.

Some babies may dislike having their faces touched at first, but as they get used to it, they’ll gradually start to smile.

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laundry

Tactile play (clapping/interaction game): Sleepy time – Ages 0 and up

laundry

This song is a nursery rhyme and one of the interactive play activities that parents and children can enjoy from infancy.

While humming the song, mothers and fathers can hold their child and play together.

As you hold your child in your arms, gently rock them or give them a warm hug.

Being close to you and hearing your gentle voice will help your child feel secure and relaxed.

It’s a highly recommended interactive play activity that has been enjoyed for generations.

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Let’s climb a big mountain.

Baby exercises: Let’s climb a big mountain!

Let's climb a big mountain.

“Let’s Climb the Big Mountain” is also a great exercise for babies.

It’s a song that lets babies, who can’t move freely on their own yet, move their bodies while caregivers sing and enjoy it together.

Lay your baby on their back and gently move their legs as you sing.

Move their legs as if climbing a mountain or swimming in the sea so your child can feel like they’re visiting a big mountain or a vast ocean.

Enjoy close contact with your baby and shower them with love.

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Tulip

Tulip (with gestures) [Japanese song / shoka]

Tulip

“Tulip” is a simple song that depicts flowers blooming beautifully and includes the three primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—in its lyrics.

With its easy tempo and pitch, it’s simple for children to learn.

While getting familiar with the song, it’s also recommended to observe real tulips in the school garden or on a walk.

It might spark curiosity about nature, such as flowers and insects.

Hopefully, it can be a chance to get to know the flower called the tulip.

If you add simple gestures while singing, children who love to dance will enjoy it too.

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Squeezing rice balls

Onigiri Nigini-gi (Baby Touch-and-Play Song)

Squeezing rice balls

While matching the phrase “onigiri nigiri, nigirinco,” sway your hands left and right and gently squeeze your arms as you give a massage.

In the second verse, the lyrics change to “hokarinco,” so touch your own cheeks or mom’s cheeks to feel their warmth.

In the third verse, the lyrics change to “kororinco,” and you roll your body from side to side like turning over.

These varied stimuli can help promote sensory development, but if the baby’s neck is not yet stable, proceed with caution and do not push it.

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