[For 1-year-olds] Fun Together! Recommended Songs and Hand Play Collection

The Itomaki song

“The Itomaki Song” (with hand motions)

The children’s song “Itomaki no Uta” is fun for its repetitive words.

Based on the Danish folk song “Shoemaker’s Polka,” its lyrics were written by Miyako Kohyama, who also wrote the nursery rhyme “Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan” and the picture book “Douzo no Isu.” Try singing along while moving your hands: twirl both hands in circles as if winding thread, and spread both hands to the sides as if pulling the thread.

The first verse, about making shoes with thread, is the most well known, but in fact the song has four verses! The lyrics from the second verse on also work as hand-play, so if you’re curious, be sure to sing the later verses while doing the hand motions too.

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Which child is a good child?warabeuta

May children’s song “Which child is the good child”

When children get together to play, do you ever wonder how to decide who’s “it” or who goes next? That’s exactly when this traditional children’s rhyme comes in handy.

You point to each child in turn in time with the rhythm, and the one chosen at the end becomes the next role—or gets a big hug—so everyone can enjoy both the thrill and the comfort it brings! It was also included on the album “NHK Nihongo de Asobo: Warabe-uta,” released in February 2007, and became widely known after being featured in segments of an educational TV program.

In dazzlingly green May, try forming a circle at a park on your walk or indoors, and enjoy the pleasant rhythm together with friends or as a parent and child.

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beard

[♪ Song Anime] Ton Ton Ton Ton Grandpa with a Beard (Sung by: Icchi & Naru), Finger Plays

The children’s song “Ton ton ton ton Hige-Jii-san” is a fingerplay you can enjoy while moving your hands.

As you sing, use both hands to represent the characters in the lyrics.

If you place your clenched fists on your chin, you’re a grandpa with a beard; if you place your clenched fists on your cheeks, you’re a grandpa with distinctive bumps.

In this way, sing the song while doing the hand motions.

Seeing various characters appear using just your hands will make your child think, “What’s that?” and spark their interest.

Because there are no complicated movements, it’s an easy hand-play song even for one-year-olds to try.

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snail

Snail (with hand motions)

With its humorous lyrics and upbeat melody, “Katatsumuri” (Snail) is a perfect song for one-year-olds who are getting into music.

Since it’s up-tempo, many kids will enthusiastically join in and imitate the actions.

It’s also fun to use your hands to show the snail’s horns coming out in time with the lyrics.

When the rain lets up during the rainy season, why not go out and look for snails? Because they know them from the song, children may feel a special fondness.

It’s a tune that will make you want to hum along without thinking.

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tsukada moe

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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (with gestures)

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is a song that’s fun to enjoy with hand motions.

Its simple lyrics and melody express the twinkling of stars.

Children will likely enjoy it in their own ways—mimicking the gestures as they sing or gently swaying their bodies.

Stars are a familiar motif that often appears in events like Tanabata.

They also show up frequently in picture books.

If you add comments like, “Look, the stars are twinkling,” it really helps spark children’s imaginations.

It’s a perfect song to enjoy together with seasonal events and picture books.

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Mr. Elephant

[Children’s Song] Elephant / Daisuke Yokoyama

The children’s song “Zō-san” depicts a little elephant who dearly loves its mother.

The lyrics were written by poet Michio Mado, known for works like the children’s song “Yagi-san Yūbin,” and the music was composed by Ikuma Dan, who also composed songs such as “Otsukai Ari-san.” The baby elephant, proud to have a long trunk just like its mother, simply adores her! These heartwarming lyrics are sung to a gentle, unhurried melody that fills you with a warm, tender feeling.

Try singing this song to your child with lots of love, perhaps using your hands to mimic an elephant’s trunk.

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Donguri Korokoro

Japanese Children’s Song – Donguri Korokoro 3D! – Donguri Korokoro

The children’s song “Donguri Korokoro” sings about the grand adventure of acorns that you often see on roads and in parks in autumn.

An acorn rolls along and falls into a pond, where it meets a loach and plays together.

But then it gets homesick and ends up crying—this is how the lyrics portray the story.

The lyrics read like a picture book, so the more you listen, the more your child may become interested.

If you add hand motions to match the lyrics, your child will enjoy listening even more.

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