Lovely childcare

Fun to dance! A roundup of recommended dance songs for young children, perfect for daycare and sports days

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.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Dance activities in daycare and at sports festivals are very important times for children!By moving their bodies to music, they can learn a sense of fun and rhythm.Choosing a special dance for the upcoming sports festival is one of the exciting parts, too.Here, we introduce recommended dance songs for young children that are perfect for daycare and sports festivals.Kids who are tuned into trends will also enjoy dancing to more mature-sounding songs.Choose dances and exercises that match the children’s preferences, and have both kids and adults get excited together!

Fun to dance! A roundup of recommended dance songs for young children for daycare and sports days (211–220)

I love stripes!

[Classic Song] I Love Stripes ♪ [Shimajiro Channel Official]

I love stripes!

The song, created from a child’s perspective, features a bright, rhythmic melody and familiar, easy-to-sing lyrics.

Naomi Minami’s appeal as a voice actress shines through, and her energetic vocals capture children’s hearts.

Released in March 2018, the track was featured on the children’s educational program “Shimajiro no Wow!” and has become popular with many kids.

It is also included on the album “Shimajiro no Wow! Uta♪ Dance Special Vol.11,” and has been developed as related content for Benesse Corporation’s early childhood correspondence course “Kodomo Challenge.” Since it’s a song that children can enjoy singing and dancing to together, it’s recommended for music time or use at events.

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Shimajiro Ondo!

Shimajiro Ondo! [Shimajiro Channel Official]

Shimajiro Ondo!

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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Friend Ponkurton

Friend Ponkurton [Shimajiro Channel Official]

Friend Ponkurton

The song that brings a heart-thumping time with lively music was born in March 2016.

Featured on the soundtrack of the film “Shimajiro and the Book Kingdom,” it stands out for Naomi Minami’s bright voice and its rhythmic melody.

With themes of friendship and bonds with companions, it has a fun structure where the tempo gradually changes.

It’s included on the album “Shimajiro no Wow! The Movie: Shimajiro and the Book Kingdom + TV Version ‘Shimajiro no Wow! Original Soundtrack’,” and has been used in both the movie and the TV show.

It’s perfect for singing and dancing together at nursery and kindergarten parent-child events, and it’s a track that children who watch “Shimajiro no Wow!” will enjoy.

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Dancing is fun! A roundup of recommended dance songs for preschoolers for daycare and sports days (221–230)

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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They say they want to wake up feeling refreshed.

I Want to Wake Up Refreshed [Shimajiro Channel Official]

They say they want to wake up feeling refreshed.

It’s a lively exercise song that gives a boost to bright mornings.

While copying the cute movements of animals together, it invites kids to move their whole bodies in a fun way.

Released in April 2014, it was also broadcast on the popular TV show “Shimajiro no Wao!” Seeing Shimajiro and friends dance joyfully on the program had a big impact on children.

This piece is loved as a morning wake-up workout and as an exercise song you can do indoors.

Start a cheerful day by moving your body—together with parents, or with friends at daycare or kindergarten.

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A Song from the Teacher: ‘Friends from Today’

From Today, We're Friends [E Tele] Lyrics: Yu Sawamura / Music: Yasuhiro Takano Oto-san to Issho♪

A Song from the Teacher: 'Friends from Today'

As a performance, how about giving the children a song from the teachers? This song, “From Today We’re Friends,” is very bright and fun.

The lyrics express the joy of meeting friends.

If you sing it at the entrance ceremony, the children may feel that today is a wonderful new beginning where they can meet new friends.

Not only singing but also adding simple choreography and dancing while you sing will make it more visually vibrant and turn it into an even more delightful performance!

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