Recommended songs for eurhythmics. Let's enjoy music using our bodies!
Eurhythmics, which involves moving the body in time with music and sounds, is said to have very positive effects on children’s development—not only nurturing musical sensitivity but also fostering expressiveness, cooperation, and independence.
Because it lets children enjoy music up close and have fun with it, many preschools and kindergartens have adopted it.
So this time, we’re introducing recommended songs for eurhythmics.
From timeless classics to tunes that are especially popular with kids, we’ve gathered plenty of songs that will make you want to move your body.
Be sure to get moving to your heart’s content together with the children!
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Recommended songs for Eurhythmics: Enjoy music with your body! (11–20)
Ogre Pantsdōyō
Here’s a parody of the Italian song “Funiculì, Funiculà,” which was composed and published in 1880.
The original song is about a mountain railway, but its friendly, powerful melody fits perfectly with “Oni no Pants” (The Ogre’s Underpants), doesn’t it? Released in 1975 as a parody version sung by Seiji Tanaka, this song captivated children with its catchy lyrics.
It seems there are also various further arrangements of these lyrics, and changing the hand motions to match them can make for a very enjoyable eurhythmics activity.
Dango, dango, they stuck together.dōyō
@hoiku_piano♪ Original Song – Childcare & Eurhythmics – Childcare & Eurhythmics
Beloved as a hand-play song for toddlers, this tune humorously depicts dumplings sticking together and not coming apart.
With simple, easy-to-remember lyrics and motions that make it fun to move your body, it can be enjoyed from as early as age one.
It’s especially popular during the autumn moon-viewing season and is commonly used in daycare centers and kindergartens.
The song has an educational background that supports children’s development and allows for various arrangements.
It’s also perfect for enjoying at home with parents and children, so be sure to sing it and move together with your little one!
The Spinning Songdōyō
Spin both hands round and round to the music! Many of you might find this nostalgic—the song “Ito Maki no Uta.” It originally comes from a Danish folk tune, and it spread in Japan after being used in a TV commercial in the 1980s.
Since you can play using only hand movements, it works anywhere.
As a bonding activity, parents can hold their baby’s hands and help them do the motions.
Because it’s a song known across generations, it’s also great for rhythm play with grandparents.
Song of the Frogdōyō
This song, “Kaeru no Uta” (The Frog Song), is fun as a round and can also be adapted for eurhythmics using its friendly melody.
It’s great fun to hop along to the frog’s croaking.
For children who are still too young to jump on their own, it works well to be held or carried on a caregiver’s back while doing the jumping motions.
The hopping and leaping provide stimulating input to the body, making it a eurhythmics activity where kids can feel the joy of moving.
Adjusting the volume of the music and hopping softly or vigorously is also enjoyable.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stardōyō
This song is a chanson that was popular in late 18th-century France.
Mozart’s “Twelve Variations on ‘Ah! vous dirai-je, maman’,” better known as the Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations, is also famous for using its theme.
The melody is also used for the ABC Song to help children learn the alphabet, showing how catchy and popular it is.
I recommend using this song to move your hands like twinkling stars or to practice clapping rhythms.
The English lyrics are almost the same in content as the Japanese lyrics, so it can be used as English-learning material too.
Under the big chestnut treedōyō
This song is a children’s song based on an English folk tune.
It is said that after the Pacific War, Japanese lyrics were added to a song sung by members of GHQ, the General Headquarters of the Allied Forces, who came to Japan.
It’s like a precursor to Eurhythmics; by expressing it with large body movements, it also serves as a form of exercise.
In 2007, despite being originally from overseas, it was selected as one of the 100 Best Japanese Songs, showing how beloved it has become in Japan.
Nowadays, it’s likely one of those songs that many people in Japan can both sing and perform the choreography to.
Recommended songs for Eurhythmics. Enjoy music with your body! (21–30)
If You’re Happy and You Know ItMother Goose Club
Because the title is in English, you might wonder what kind of song it is, but you definitely know it.
In Japanese, it’s known as “Shiawase nara Te o Tatakō” (“If You’re Happy and You Know It”).
It originally started as a folk song popular in the United States, and in 1964, singer Kyu Sakamoto performed a version with Japanese lyrics, which became a hit.
Since then, it has remained a beloved children’s song throughout Japan.
Just clapping along to the song is fun in itself.
It’s also a great song to help little ones get used to English from an early age.