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 3–4-year-olds! Recommended dance songs for sports day (151–160)

Etiquette Man

Etiquette Man [Shimajiro Channel Official]

Etiquette Man

This is a character song that blends fun and learning, and it’s hugely popular with children.

Set to a bright, poppy melody, it clearly teaches important everyday manners and etiquette.

Takashi Fujii’s friendly singing and dancing really capture kids’ hearts.

The song has been broadcast on Shimajiro no Wao! since September 2017 and is also included on the DVD Shimajiro no Wao! Shimajiro to Dance! Dance! Dance!.

It’s a track that lets parents and children enjoy moving their bodies together while learning easy-to-practice topics like table manners and cough etiquette.

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Kupurupā is a secret word!

Movie tie-in dance song “Kuprupa Is a Secret Word!” [Shimajiro Channel Official]

Kupurupā is a secret word!

This is an insert song from the film that, with its bright, poppy sound and lyrics that capture children’s hearts, conveys the importance of friendship and cooperation.

Using the “secret word” as their motto, Shimajiro and his friends embark on an adventure that communicates the value of bonds and a spirit of kindness.

With its rhythmic groove and dance, it’s designed for kids to enjoy together.

The song appears in the March 2019 film Shimajiro and Ururu’s Hero Land, where it’s used memorably alongside the adventure in Hero Land.

It also comes with a fun group dance, making it a recommended track for preschools and at home.

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Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

I LOVE U @ Airi - Fortune Cookie in Love [Practice / Mirrored]

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

If you’re looking for a dance number that suits a sports day attended by a wide range of age groups, we recommend “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie.” It was released in 2013 by AKB48, the female idol group that has produced numerous stars, and it has been featured widely across the media.

Many people will be familiar with its cute “rice ball” hand-rolling move.

The arrangement evokes the disco sound of the 1970s.

With its slow tempo, it’s also a great choice for kids who are new to dancing!

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Yo-kai Exercise No. 1Dream5

Yo-kai Watch: Yokai Exercise No. 1

Yo-kai Exercise No. 1Dream5

The ending theme of a TV anime, sung by Dream5 and beloved by both children and adults, is creating a buzz.

This work charms listeners with its fun, upbeat style that portrays everyday little happenings—like oversleeping or being picky about food—as the doings of yokai.

Their 12th single, released in April 2014, was a tie-in with a TV Tokyo anime, and with choreography by Lucky Ikeda, it became a huge topic among children.

It’s a song that kids can enjoy moving their bodies to together, with easy-to-learn choreography that makes it a hit at nursery and kindergarten events.

It’s also recommended for parent-child recreation and as a dance for sports days.

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Shimajiro Ondo!shimajirou, nojima naoto

Shimajiro Ondo! [Shimajiro Channel Official]

Shimajiro Ondo!shimajirou, nojima naoto

It’s a fun ondō that makes your heart dance along to an energetic rhythm.

Born in March 2018, this song carries messages about the spirit of challenge, a sense of adventure, and the importance of life.

Children’s curiosity and positive lyrics are sung in Shimajiro’s gentle voice.

It’s used in the dance segment and ending of the TV show “Shimajiro no Wao!” and is loved by children at concerts and events nationwide.

There’s choreography that kids can dance to as well, making it a sure hit at nursery and kindergarten events! It’s a perfect song for parent-child bonding time or whenever you want to get moving together with children.

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