Lovely childcare

[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

For children, hand-play songs where they sing and interact with familiar adults and friends are so much fun.

Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes are said to have a very positive effect on children’s brain and emotional development.

It’s something we’d love to incorporate a lot into everyday life.

So this time, we’re introducing hand-play songs and nursery rhymes that parents and children can enjoy together.

From classic tunes everyone has heard to popular songs sung in daycare centers and kindergartens, there’s a lot to choose from!

Please try to find songs you can enjoy together that match your children’s age and interests.

Many of these songs have a good tempo and catchy melodies or phrases, so they’re easy to learn right away!

[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional children's rhymes collection (41–50)

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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[Parenting] Parent-and-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes compilation (51–60)

Tickle Tickle Train

https://www.tiktok.com/@rittle0601/video/7268236524326554882

Do you know the song “Kochokochō Densha” (Tickle-Tickle Train), which is great for baby massage? While gently touching your child’s tummy, move your hands up and down.

For the part that goes “This way? That way?”, move your child’s arms slightly to the left and right.

The key moment is at the terminal station.

Gently tickle your child’s tummy and sides.

It might bring out a big smile! At the terminal station, it’s recommended to change the spot—like the feet, cheeks, or back—depending on which way your child’s body is facing at the time.

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oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)

[Children's Song] Oshikura Manju

oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)

This song is charming for its friendly melody and playful lyrics that use the image of manju buns.

Born from the wisdom of keeping warm, it has been passed down across generations as a game that shares warmth and smiles.

Beyond its value as a play song, it is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, even appearing in haiku as a winter season word.

On a cold winter day, if you sing it while actually doing oshikura manju—huddling and gently pushing each other—children will surely feel not only the warmth of skin, but also the joy of time spent with friends and family.

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Forehead, nose, mouth

Forehead, nose, mouth – Mama Lima original version

Forehead, nose, mouth

Starting from the face—the forehead, nose, and mouth—this is a baby massage song that turns the whole body into lyrics.

While singing, gently touch your baby as if you’re telling them, “This is your forehead,” “This is your nose.” You can enjoy the baby’s adorable changes in expression while giving gentle stimulation to the whole body.

If you occasionally change the tempo, you might be rewarded with an irresistibly cute smile.

Repeating it many times will help you learn which touches your baby enjoys the most.

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Squeezing rice balls

Onigiri Nigini-gi (Baby Touch-and-Play Song)

Squeezing rice balls

While matching the phrase “onigiri nigiri, nigirinco,” sway your hands left and right and gently squeeze your arms as you give a massage.

In the second verse, the lyrics change to “hokarinco,” so touch your own cheeks or mom’s cheeks to feel their warmth.

In the third verse, the lyrics change to “kororinco,” and you roll your body from side to side like turning over.

These varied stimuli can help promote sensory development, but if the baby’s neck is not yet stable, proceed with caution and do not push it.

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Goodbye, ankoro mochi.

Children’s song game “Goodbye, Ankoromochi”

Goodbye, ankoro mochi.

A playful wordplay centered on the traditional Japanese sweets “ankoro mochi” and “kinako,” imbued with the wish to meet again, leaves a strong impression.

By singing with hand games and gestures, it nurtures children’s creativity and communication skills.

In nursery schools and kindergartens, puppets are often used to perform it so that children can enjoy their farewell time.

Passed down for many years as a traditional song, this piece has been included in numerous childcare-related books and CDs as a teaching material that supports children’s emotional development.

It’s also a recommended song for parents and children to enjoy singing together while experiencing Japan’s traditional culture.

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somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

[Baby 👶 Delighted] “Somen (cold noodles)” Summer bonding play 💓 0-year-olds 😻 So fun! They laugh 😽 ♪ Let’s enjoy playing with baby! [Parent-child, nursery, kindergarten] Stops crying

somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

This is a baby massage song performed by stroking the body in time with the lyrics “Somen somen tsuru-tsuru.” By varying the sensations—like flowing somen, three-color somen, poured-over somen, and chilled somen—you’ll likely bring out your baby’s smiles.

Because there are no big movements and it involves gentle strokes while the baby lies down, it can be done safely from the newborn stage.

By adjusting the intensity of stimulation, toddlers can enjoy it too.

Look closely at your child’s face and touch them gently.

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