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 0 years old (21–30)

Toy Cha-Cha-ChaSakushi: Koshigaya Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Izumi Taku

“Toy Cha-Cha-Cha” (with choreography) [Japanese song / shoka]

Toy Cha-Cha-ChaSakushi: Koshigaya Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Izumi Taku

While you sleep at night, the toys jump out of the toy box and play! “Omocha no Cha-Cha-Cha” sings about that wondrous scene, just like a famous animated film.

Its rhythmic melody alone can put your baby in a happy mood.

It’s also recommended to move the toys you actually have in front of your baby and add a little twist as you sing! There’s a hand-play version that matches the lyrics, so be sure to give that a try too.

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Mr. ElephantSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma

“Elephant – Zou San | Elephant, elephant, your nose is so long, isn’t it? [Japanese Song / Children’s Song]”

Mr. ElephantSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma

The children’s song “Zousan,” featuring an adorable elephant parent and child.

Your baby might not understand the lyrics yet, but the gentle, unhurried melody will likely feel soothing.

If you sing it softly, it might even work as a lullaby.

When you sing, use your arms to mimic the elephant’s long trunk—this will catch your baby’s attention.

Sing it while looking forward to the day you’ll visit the zoo together and see a real elephant.

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Frog ChorusSakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao

Japanese Children’s Song – Dōyō – Chorus of Frogs – Kaeru no Gasshō

Frog ChorusSakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao

The chorus of frogs, with croaks that seem to come from nowhere, can feel just like a song—“Frogs’ Chorus.” Because the lyrics mimic frog calls, even babies will be surprised yet delighted by the unusual sounds they aren’t used to hearing! Although the song tends to focus on frog calls, it’s also fun to make parody versions with other animals like pigs or ducks to teach different sounds.

Once you can sing it together, try singing it as a round! Until then, Mom and Dad can sing it as a round for your little one to enjoy.

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soap bubble

[Children's Song] Soap Bubbles / Daisuke Yokoyama

soap bubble

This song has been beloved since the Taisho era.

You’ve probably sung it at least once.

It’s a great choice as the first nursery rhyme to play for a child.

Many babies enjoy repeated rhythms and movements, and even if Mom or Dad isn’t confident about singing, the song is short and the lyrics are easy to remember, so repeating it won’t feel out of place.

With its slow, gentle tempo, if you hold your baby and sway side to side with the rhythm while singing, they may feel so comfortable that they drift off to sleep.

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Lalalala Cleaning Cloth

Rarara Cleaning Rag (The Cleaning Rag Song) [JCCRA]

Lalalala Cleaning Cloth

“La La La Zokin” is a gentle baby massage you can do with baby-touch movements set to a song.

Pretending your little one is a cleaning cloth (zokin), you ‘sew’ it, wring it out, and hang it to dry—just like in the lyrics.

In time with the song, you can lightly poke your baby’s body, wiggle their arms and legs, and pat with your palms.

It’s great to try when they’re a bit fussy; it can help them settle down.

Perfect for a tender bonding time between parent and child!

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