![[Childcare] A collection of recommended melodica (pianica) songs for 4-year-olds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/YrvbRf2X4T0/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] A collection of recommended melodica (pianica) songs for 4-year-olds
Many preschools start working with the melodica (keyboard harmonica) from around age four.
Pressing the keys with their fingers and blowing to make sound is a fresh experience for four-year-olds, and they get excited about this new adventure.
On the other hand, if it feels too hard or they can’t do it well, children may stop enjoying the activity.
So this time, we’ve gathered lots of melodica pieces that four-year-olds can enjoy practicing.
It’s great when they can play many favorite songs and grow their repertoire.
[Childcare] Recommended Pianica Songs for 4-Year-Olds (1–10)
Soap bubbleSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei
This song is a children’s tune with a bright melody yet a profound meaning.
Through the fragility of soap bubbles, it expresses the preciousness of life and the brevity of our time.
Since its release in 1923, it has remained beloved by many and was also featured in the anime Maison Ikkoku.
Created by Ujo Noguchi and Shinpei Nakayama, this classic is not only fun for children to sing but also deeply moving for adults.
When played on a melodica, its gentle tone perfectly matches the song’s mood.
It’s also recommended to sing it together with four-year-olds while playing with soap bubbles.
butterflySakushi: Nomura Akio / Sakkyoku: Supein min’yō
This children’s song is memorable for its light melody that evokes the arrival of spring and its lyrics depicting butterflies dancing.
It expresses the beauty of nature and the feeling of the seasons, making it perfect for nurturing children’s sensibilities.
Since it was included in the Elementary School Song Collection in 1881, it’s been almost indispensable in Japanese music education.
It’s a staple often sung in kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools, and it’s sometimes used in anime and TV programs.
With its simple and cheerful tune, it’s also great for 4-year-olds to practice on the melodica.
How about everyone playing it together, enjoying the fun of music while feeling the arrival of spring?
a big drumSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
This song, which lets you enjoy the rhythm of drums, is characterized by a simple structure that easily sticks in children’s ears.
The lyrics imitate the sounds of large and small drums, naturally fostering a sense of rhythm and language.
It has been highly regarded for its educational value, even being selected as a set piece for the music performance section of the 2012 childcare worker certification exam.
There are also covers by various artists, such as the Hibari Children’s Choir and Masami Kojima.
While it’s often sung with hand motions, it can also be played on a melodica, so please feel free to use it as a reference.
Song of a little birdSakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / Sakkyoku: Akutagawa Yasushi
With gentle lyrics and a tender melody that resonate with children, this piece depicts the joy of hearing little birds sing.
Despite its simple structure, Yasushi Akutagawa’s refined compositional technique shines through.
Since its debut in 1954, it has been well-loved in Japanese music education.
It’s perfect for performance on the melodica, and even four-year-olds can enjoy playing it.
It’s a lovely song that lets children savor the joy of music while nurturing a love for nature and living creatures.
Do-Re-Mi SongSakushi: Osukā Hamāsutain 2-sei / Sakkyoku: Richādo Rojāsu
“Do-Re-Mi” features solfège syllables both in its title and lyrics.
With its bright, upbeat tempo, children can enjoy learning scales and intervals.
Because it’s played across a wide range and requires lots of finger movement using all five fingers, it’s also perfect for practicing finger crossing.
If you’re performing it on a melodica, there are passages that require sustained breath, so practice carefully to avoid breaks in the sound.
It’s also a great opportunity to focus on breath control and appreciate the melodica’s unique variations in volume and tone.
The Spinning SongSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko/Shokyoku: Komori Akihiro
Characterized by warm, heartfelt lyrics and a simple melody, this song stands out for its charm among children’s songs.
Its rhythmic structure, which incorporates the action of winding thread as a playful element, is designed so that children can join in while having fun.
Released in the early 1980s, it was included on the 1980 LP “Nakayoshi Oasobi no Uta Best 30.” The lyrics depict a journey to a little person’s house, conveying a quiet sense of adventure and comfort.
It has become a staple hand-play song in preschools and kindergartens, making it a perfect choice to perform on the melodica as well.
Puppy MarchSakushi: Kuno Shizuo / Sakkyoku: Gaikoku kyoku
“Puppy March” is a song that expresses children’s feelings toward a cute puppy.
With its easy-to-remember, friendly melody, it’s often used for pianica or ensemble pieces.
Since most of the finger movements are not in sequence but skip around, it’s recommended to try it once children have become accustomed to moving their fingers.
Practice while paying attention to rhythm—holding notes and playing with a bouncing feel.
It would be great if everyone could imagine a puppy happily at play and express that through the performance.