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

Forehead, nose, mouth

Forehead, nose, mouth – Mama Lima original version

It’s a bonding song that starts with the face—forehead, nose, mouth—and turns the whole body into lyrics.

As you sing, gently touch your baby, as if telling them, “This is your forehead,” “This is your nose.” While enjoying the baby’s adorable changing expressions, you’ll also be giving them good stimulation across their whole body.

If you occasionally change the tempo, you might be rewarded with a sweet smile.

By repeating it many times, you’ll learn which touches your baby enjoys the most.

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Mickey Mouse March

Hug-and-play for 0-year-old babies—super popular! Mickey Mouse March

Set to the famous Mickey Mouse March, this is an interactive song where you ask your baby, “Where is your head?” After asking, gently tap and show them with the feeling of teaching: “Here it is, here it is, it’s right here.” You can do this with any body part—tummy, cheeks, bottom, and so on.

At the end, ask, “What’s your name?” and lovingly say their name.

You’ll see your child beaming with a big smile when they hear their own name!

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somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

[Baby 👶 Delighted] “Somen (cold noodles)” Summer bonding play 💓 0-year-olds 😻 So fun! They laugh 😽 ♪ Let’s enjoy playing with baby! [Parent-child, nursery, kindergarten] Stops crying

This is a baby massage song performed by stroking the body in time with the lyrics “Somen somen tsuru-tsuru.” By varying the sensations—like flowing somen, three-color somen, poured-over somen, and chilled somen—you’ll likely bring out your baby’s smiles.

Because there are no big movements and it involves gentle strokes while the baby lies down, it can be done safely from the newborn stage.

By adjusting the intensity of stimulation, toddlers can enjoy it too.

Look closely at your child’s face and touch them gently.

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Toy Cha-Cha-Cha

“Toy Cha-Cha-Cha” (with choreography) [Japanese song / shoka]

While you sleep at night, the toys jump out of the toy box and play! “Omocha no Cha-Cha-Cha” sings about that wondrous scene, just like a famous animated film.

Its rhythmic melody alone can put your baby in a happy mood.

It’s also recommended to move the toys you actually have in front of your baby and add a little twist as you sing! There’s a hand-play version that matches the lyrics, so be sure to give that a try too.

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SAKI

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Mom’s Slide

Mama’s slide (body play) Sit down~

In the Baby Massage song “Mama’s Slide,” the key point is the sliding part.

Sit your child on your lap, gently support both sides under their arms, and sway their body left and right.

For the “stairs,” gradually bend your knees to change your child’s eye level so it feels like climbing steps.

At the end, with your knees bent, support your child and let them slide down your thighs.

When changing positions, speak gently so your child doesn’t feel uneasy.

Enjoy it at a comfortable pace that suits your child’s stage of development.

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mayumi

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Tonton Tomato-chanSakushi/Sakkyoku: Hamada Rie

Tonton Tomato-chan♪ With Mommy | Baby Stops Crying | Songs Babies Love | Nursery Rhyme | Children's Song | Hand Play | Dance | With Choreography | Educational Animation

The bright, rhythmic tune played on NHK E-Tele’s preschool program is truly charming.

This heartwarming melody, themed around hide-and-seek, is designed to spark babies’ curiosity—much like the peekaboo game “Inai Inai…

Baa!” Its catchy, rhythmic phrases are easy to remember and packed with fun elements that parents and children can hum along to together.

First broadcast in 2009, the song was included on albums such as “Inai Inai Baa! Bun Bun Bukyuun!” As a popular track used in the show’s mini-animation segment, it’s loved by many children.

It’s a highly recommended song for creating warm moments with your child—swaying to the rhythm and clapping along together!

Song of a little birdSakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / Sakkyoku: Akutagawa Yasushi

Kotori no Uta [Children’s Song] Lyrics: Junichi Yoda / Music: Yasushi Akutagawa / With choreography / With lyrics /

This piece, which gently captures the chirping of little birds, warmly embraces the hearts of young children.

Jun’ichi Yoda’s lyrics and Yasushi Akutagawa’s music blend beautifully to bring to life the image of small birds living in nature.

The onomatopoeic words in the lyrics spark children’s imaginations and make singing delightful.

Since its debut in 1954, this song has remained beloved in kindergartens and nursery schools, making it perfect for entrance ceremonies.

It helps ease the anxiety of children facing a new environment and is sure to turn their nerves into smiles through song.