[For 3-year-olds] Songs to sing at nursery schools and kindergartens! Popular and recommended songs

TulipSakushi: Kondo Miyako / Sakkyoku: Inoue Takeshi

Tulip (with gestures) [Japanese song / shoka]

Don’t you ever feel a rush of excitement just from listening to children’s songs? With lyrics by Miyako Kondo and music by Takeshi Inoue, this piece is a beloved favorite among children, celebrating the arrival of spring when colorful flowers bloom.

The melody is easy to remember and the lyrics are simple, so children quickly find themselves humming along.

It was released in July 1932 and recorded the following year.

At kindergarten entrance ceremonies, it would be lovely for the current students to sing it to welcome the newcomers.

If everyone sings together, it will surely ease the nerves and make for a joyful ceremony!

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.

Hey, Kaba-kun!sakushi: nakagawa itsuko / sakkyoku: nakagawa hirotaka

Hey, Mr. Hippo | Children's Song [Ponkikki Song]

With its calm and gentle atmosphere, this song was released in April 2007 as a picture book with a CD, and together with illustrations by Hiroshi Abe, a former zookeeper at Asahiyama Zoo, it became a tune rooted in children’s daily lives.

Created by Hirotaka Nakagawa and Itsuko Nakagawa, the work also encourages children’s curiosity about animals through its focus on hippos.

It was featured on the TV program Hirake! Ponkikki and has long been loved by many children.

Its relaxed tempo and melody perfectly match the laid-back image of hippos, making it great for singing along with your child.

Why not hum it happily on a spring field trip or during a visit to the zoo?

Smilesakushi: kitagawa yūjin / sakkyoku: kitagawa yūjin

Smile

Just by singing and dancing, this energetic song makes your heart flutter with excitement and fills you with happiness.

Written and composed by Yujin Kitagawa, it’s included on the album “Yuzu Smile,” released in July 2003.

With its bright, poppy melody and lyrics that convey a message of believing in the power of a smile, it’s beloved by a wide range of listeners, from children to adults.

It’s perfect for singing at a kindergarten entrance ceremony, and it would also be super cute to dance to with parents at events like sports days.

It’s a wonderful song that brings smiles to everyone!

A strawberry is a strawberry.Sakushi: Kotaki Kiyomi / Sakkyoku: Fujita Taishi

Strawberries are Strawberries (Okaasan to Issho) / Kentaro Hayami & Ayumi Shigemori

This is a charming song with a bright, rhythmic, and fun melody paired with heartwarming lyrics.

It was broadcast in May 1997 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, with lyrics by Kiyomi Kotaki and music by Taishi Fujita.

The gently told story follows a protagonist who dreams of becoming a cake and, while chasing that dream, discovers their own true self—making it a song that enriches children’s imaginations.

Sung and beloved by Kentaro Hayami and Ayumi Shigemori, it was later carried on by Akihiro Sugita and Ryoko Tsumoda.

It is also included on the album NHK Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album and has been cherished by many children.

It’s perfect for humming during walks or outdoor play, and for singing together on spring field trips or fun outings.

When sung with family, it’s sure to become a wonderful memory that shares the joy of spring.

The Turtle’s ExcursionSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

Let’s sing at home: “The Turtle’s Field Trip”

An adorable song starring a laid-back turtle, its bright and breezy melody is sure to soothe the heart.

The scenes—like getting a backpack ready three days before a field trip, and finally arriving at the meeting spot around noon—are brimming with humor that makes you smile.

With lyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa and music by Hirotaka Nakagawa, the piece was first released to the world in 1994 on the album “Sora to Tomodachi,” and has since become widely loved in kindergartens and nursery schools.

In November 2021, it was also included on the album “Toshihiko Shinzawa & Hirotaka Nakagawa Songs <30th Anniversary Commemorative Children’s Chorus Edition>,” celebrating 30 years of their partnership.

It’s a fun song through which children can learn the value of going at their own pace.

Spring came pop-pop-popsakushi: kozue hikari / sakkyoku: sako shinichirō

♪ Pon pon pon, spring has come ♪

Why not sing together a refreshing song that evokes the arrival of spring? Created by Mr.

Komichi Hikari and Mr.

Shinichiro Sako, this piece features lyrics that make rhythmic hand-play fun.

The spring-themed lyrics spark children’s imaginations, and the bright melody naturally makes you want to hum along.

Since it incorporates clapping motions, it’s perfect for developing a sense of rhythm and teamwork.

Singing it at entrance ceremonies or spring events can help ease the nerves of children who are anxious about a new environment.

Be sure to sing it with your child and enjoy the coming of spring!