Lovely childcare

Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months

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.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

Here are some heartwarming songs recommended for babies!

Why not spend a happy time by singing along to the rhythm, enjoying your baby’s smile as you do?

Sway your body to the beat and clap your hands to the lyrics—the fun will only grow.

When babies see adults singing, they naturally open their hearts and feel your love.

Playing along with cheerful songs can also give you moments when you really feel your baby’s growth!

Enjoy a joyful music time together with your little one.

Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs you can enjoy from age 0 (61–70)

Tulipsakushi: mado michio / sakkyoku: kusano shimpei

♪ Tulip – Tulip | ♪ Bloomed, bloomed, the tulip flowers [Japanese song / shoka]

Tulipsakushi: mado michio / sakkyoku: kusano shimpei

Another song that reminds us of spring and a quintessential Japanese children’s song: “Tulips.” Its gentle melody, celebrating the spring flower tulips, makes you want to sing it every time you see them.

The way tulips grow straight and sturdy from their bulbs may even remind us of babies as they thrive.

We hope they grow up healthy and adorable, like tulips in all their vibrant colors.

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Murakami Shinpei

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Song [Vocals: Daiki Mushioka]

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by American picture book author Eric Carle is a beloved classic enjoyed by children and adults all around the world.

Since the song comes from the picture book, it’s highly recommended to sing it together while reading the book.

The story follows a tiny caterpillar that hatches from an egg, searches for food, finds various fruits, becomes a larva and then a chrysalis, and finally transforms into a beautiful butterfly.

Numbers and days of the week also appear, so children can keep enjoying it as they grow older.

You’ll look forward to the day when they sing along with you!

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Abuku-tatta

https://www.tiktok.com/@rittle0601/video/7295691233664437511

When you do baby massage to the rhythm of the “Abukutatta Nietatta” song, your little one will show such a happy expression.

While singing, gently hold your child’s legs and move them, watching how they respond left, right, up, and down.

When moving the legs, don’t shake them strongly—move them gently and slowly.

For the “munch munch munch” part, lightly touch their tummy with a motion like you’re pretend-eating it; your child will love it.

For older babies, it’s also fun to pick up the pace a bit!

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The Chocolate Song

https://www.tiktok.com/@rittle0601/video/7327230282732408072

It sounds like your child will enjoy joining in if you gently weave in the “Chocolate” song.

During the chocolate part, softly touch your child’s face with your fingertips.

Your warm hands will help them feel secure.

At the end, while saying the shape of the chocolate, lightly trace a simple chocolate shape on their tummy.

You can draw any shape you like—squares, triangles, or double circles.

It’s also a great idea to adjust the tempo—speed up or slow down—while watching your child’s reactions as you sing.

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Gonbe-san’s Baby

[Hand Play] Gonbe-san’s Baby ♬ (with gestures)

Gonbe-san’s Baby

“Gonbe-san no Akachan,” created based on an American folk song.

It’s a song featuring a character named Gonbe-san—who covers his head with a tenugui cloth and ties it under his chin—and a baby.

It depicts a scene where the baby catches a cold, and you use your hands to act out holding the baby and having a sudden idea.

The unique movement where, in a fluster, Gonbe-san accidentally puts a poultice on himself is especially amusing! Once you get used to it, it’s also fun to change the tempo—singing faster or slower.

Let’s enjoy this nostalgic hand-play song that everyone has heard at least once!

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