Lovely childcare

[Preschool] Great Dance Songs for Sports Day: Perfect for Younger Children

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

Sports day is an important event where we can see children’s growth.

For many younger kindergarteners, it may even be their very first sports day.

For teachers, dance is essential to help all the children join in and have fun together!

So here, we’ve gathered recommended dance songs for younger kindergarteners.

There are lots of cute options, including theme songs from NHK programs and anime, as well as songs about fruits and insects.

Choose lively tunes that bring out the children’s innocence, and have everyone dance together to enjoy sports day!

[Childcare] For preschoolers! Recommended dance songs for sports day (81–90)

Norimaki Pera Pari OndoHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

[Norimaki Pera Pali Ondo ◆ Live-Action Dance Ver. / Okaasan to Issho July 2022 Monthly Song] NHK E-Tele

Norimaki Pera Pari OndoHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

The lively, festival-style song Norimaki Pera Pari Ondo, which bursts with summer festival vibes, appeared in July 2022 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho.

The lyrics are by Tomomi Fujimo, and the music is by veteran composer Yasuo Kosugi, who has created numerous songs for E-Tele.

Centered on the theme of norimaki (seaweed-wrapped rolls), its catchy “pera-to pari-to” rhythm sticks in your head, and the dazzling production and characters leave a strong impression.

Yuichiro Onii-san appears as Noriko, and Maya Onee-san as Makiko, making this an irresistibly addictive tune that naturally makes you crave norimaki just by watching!

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Theme of the Little Monster

[Little Glee Monster] “Gao Gao All-Star” - Music Video Short ver. -

Theme of the Little Monster

Let’s move our arms and legs energetically while singing and dancing along to the theme song from “Hello! Little Monsters,” which features lots of cute monsters.

The dance is simple and easy to learn.

Also, movements like swinging your arms forward and backward can feel even more fun when you keep your face facing forward.

Because the tempo is rhythmic, it’s recommended for preschoolers, but even children from around age 1 can imitate and enjoy it! Try copying the parts you can and have fun together.

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Super Energetic ExerciseSatō Hiromichi

[Super Energetic!] 01 Super Energetic Exercises (Ages 2 and up)

Super Energetic ExerciseSatō Hiromichi

A workout created by Hiromichi Sato—beloved as the 10th “Gymnastics Big Brother” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho—in which he handled the lyrics, vocals, and choreography.

With his familiar voice and movements that engage the whole body, it offers outstanding reliability.

It features lots of animals like sparrows, monkeys, and lions, making it enjoyable even for young children.

Clear, easy-to-follow actions—like looking down to see ants and looking up to see a UFO—are the key points, and the routine is designed to fill you with energy.

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Disney exercises

Former Nursery Teacher Sings and Dances: Disney Exercise Routine (for Daycare and Kindergarten)

Disney exercises

This “Disney Exercise” is a song that’s often used as a morning exercise tune in preschool settings.

It’s a cute track that’s perfect for dance numbers at recitals and sports days, and the choreography is charming because you get to become various Disney characters! The song is also fun because it weaves in different Disney melodies one after another.

It’s a great pick for younger classes, letting kids move their bodies plenty while having fun.

If you’re looking for a song everyone can dance to together, why not give it a try?

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Pineapple ExerciseOzawa Kanato

Let's dance together to the 'Pineapple Exercise'—a simple routine even kindergarten and nursery school children can do! (Kindergarten/Nursery School) #childcare #dance #kindergarten #nurseryschool #exercise #sportsday #recital #performance

Pineapple ExerciseOzawa Kanato

Pineapple Exercises is a perfect fit for dancing with its lively Latin beat.

Just imagining the kids dancing their hearts out makes it clear this song is irresistibly cute.

Created by children’s songwriters Kazuto Ozawa and Koichi Uranaka, it was released in 2019.

Try making pineapple costumes and hats out of yellow plastic bags or construction paper and dress the kids up.

The parents who come to watch the sports day will be absolutely smitten.

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The animal train has arrived.Ozawa Kazuto

[Yotsuba & Mitsuba] 2021 Sports Day, 1-year-old Play: “Animal Train”

The animal train has arrived.Ozawa Kazuto

A great recommendation for a dance program is “Animal Train.” In this one, children pretend to be animals like rabbits and monkeys who get on the train and dance.

Because you don’t need strict choreography, even younger kids can easily have fun dancing.

For example, when a rabbit gets on the train, try making ears over your head and jumping—use your imagination to mimic the animals’ movements! Besides animals, feel free to include train-like movements too.

The lively, cute dance will surely make parents smile.

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[Preschool] For 3-year-olds! Recommended dance songs for sports day (91–100)

Magic of SmilesMiyahara Hitomi

“The Magic of Smiles” Choreography [Kindergarten/Nursery School/Certified Childcare Center/Sports Day/Recital]

Magic of SmilesMiyahara Hitomi

In the TV anime Hanakappa, which has been airing since 2010, the song Egao no Mahou is used as the opening theme for its 10th season.

It’s a track by Yuiko Ohara, a singer-songwriter from Chiba Prefecture, released as a single in 2019.

There’s also an official video on YouTube where Ohara and the character Hanakappa dance together, which is helpful for learning the choreography.

There’s even a music video where she interacts with kindergarteners and dances together with them—be sure to check it out!

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